The Elderflower season is short, late May to the latest, mid-July, if you live in the the north or Scotland. The heavily scented flowers make a wonderful, refreshing Elderflower Cordial which when stored in sterilised bottles will keep for months. If you are out collecting Elderflowers, a word of warning make sure you have permission to pick them and never pick flowers from trees on roadsides as they may be tainted with petrol fumes.
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Steeping of flowers: 48 hours
Total Time: 48 hours, 40 minutes
Ingredients:
1k sugar1.5 liters boiling water
4 medium lemons, washed
30 large Elderflower heads, shake to remove any insects
55g citric acid
Method:
Place the sugar into a large saucepan/stockpot or a large Pyrex bowl. Pour the boiling water over and stir until all the sugar has dissolved and leave to cool.
Grate the rind of the lemons with a fine grater, add to the sugar water.
Slice the lemons into thick slices and add to the water. Add the citric acid and stir, then finally add the flower heads to the water and stir again.
Cover with a clean cloth and leave to steep for 48 hours.
Strain through clean fine muslin cloth into a clean bowl.
Using a funnel, fill sterilized bottles. Seal and store in a cool, dark place (not the refrigerator).
The cordial is delicious diluted with still or fizzy water or used as a flavoring in ice creams or in fruit fools.
Once a bottle is opened store in the refrigerator.
Once a bottle is opened store in the refrigerator.
