Elderflower Cordial

There is nothing more satisfying than taking a trip with the basket and secateurs around the local hedge-rows foraging for Elderflowers. This time of year they're in abundance and great for making cordials. Elder's (Sambucus Nigra) season runs from late May to early July followed by the berries from August to September. Best enjoyed on long hot sunny days or try adding to stewing fruit for pies and crumbles. Works exceptionally well with Gooseberries.

 

Makes 8x500ml/50cl Bottles 

 

Ingredients

 

50 Elderflower Sprays/Heads

3 Sliced Lemons

3kg/6lbs Sugar

2.4lts/5 Pints of Boiling Water

4tsp of Citric Acid

 

Equipment

Fermentation Bin/Bucket

Muslin Clothes

Sterilization Powder

Funnel

Plastic Jug

 

Method

 

Firstly sterilise your fermentation bin/bucket using the instructions on your tub of powder. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry. 

 

To the bin/bucket add the elderflower sprays/heads along with the sliced lemons, sugar and citric acid. Pour over the boiling water and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. 

Cover with muslin cloth and a lid and leave for 48hrs.

 

Before filling the bottles sterilise them along with the funnel and jug you are going to use. Once again rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry.

 

Strain the mixture though the muslin cloth into the jug then discard the lemons and elderflower sprays/heads. You should be left with a syrup which then can be poured evenly throughout the 8 sterilized bottles. Seal the bottles and tag them with the date.

 

Great for giving as gifts and enjoying throughout the summer sunshine.

 

Note-  That after a few weeks mould will grow in the neck of the bottle even if unopened. This is perfectly fine and will help preserve it too. Strain through a fine tea strainer from this point.