Tuesday, June 17, 2008


Elderflowers

I want to pick all the elderflowers I see and make them into lovely elderflower cordial. This would be difficult this year, as it seems to be a bumper year for elderflowers. I have made one lot so far, and have another, double quantity nearing readiness for bottling. i will freeze some and the rest will be there for drinking by guestsd and us, immediately.

The recipe I use, taken from the internet, www.keirg.freeserve.co.uk/diary/fruit/elder.htm

is:

20 elderflower heads, wahsed thoroughly adn picked far from busy roads
1 lemon, sliced
2tsp citric acid
3 and a half lbs white sugar
2 and a half pints boiling water

Put all the dry ingredients in a clean pan. Pour boiling water over. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Cover with a cloth or lid. Stir twice daily for five days (if you don't, the lemon on top will go mouldy - I know, I did it!!). Strain and bottle in clean, sterile bottles.

Pop some in the freezer, in plastic bottles, don't fill to the brim, and the bottles in the fridge can be kept for around 2 weeks.

Apart from diluting with tap or mineral water, you could try diluting it with lemonade, and serve it with slices of lemon and sprigs of mint. Add gin and soda water, or vodka. Make diluted cordial into a sorbet. I have not tried any of these ideas!

Enjoy making this before the flowers decide to become elderberries, which may have already happened in some areas of the country.

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