Elderflower Cordial
I popped over to a friend's house recently and we got chatting about home grown fruit and veg. We all agreed how enjoyable, relaxing and mindful it can be tending to our little crops. We've always grown a little supply of fruit and veg in the garden and whilst sometimes it can feel like an added job to do each day, when I get out there and involved it really makes me feel so much better. Which is why I felt so inspired to make our very own elderflower cordial this year!
elderflower cordial
Elderflower Cordial Home Brew
One of the things that really sparked my curiosity was their elderflower home brew. Before we had children we made cider every year. It was a two day job and involved getting covered in pulped apples. But the results for the year ahead were amazing! The cider tasted like nothing you can buy in the supermarkets.
Nowadays most of my free time is taken up baking so instead of creating an alcoholic drink I wanted to make something I could incorporate into my cake recipes. Elderflower cordial seemed the perfect solution!
Citrus Fruits
We have a large Elder tree in our garden so I collected a few heads and set to work. I didn't have any citric acid to hand, as so many recipes call for, but as lemon juice contains a good amount of this I simply doubled the citrus fruits and added a little white wine vinegar. I opted for a combination of oranges, lemons and lime for an amazing fresh flavour. There is no right or wrong combination here - just go with the flavours you like best!
Equipment And Storage
Once you've harvested your flower heads gently shake them to get rid of any bugs. Then remove the flowers from the stems, removing any green. Place the flowers into a large, clean bucket or bowl then add the remaining ingredients. You'll need a large tea towel to cover the bowl and a sieve, muslin cloth and funnel to help when pouring the cordial into bottles. I used some flip top bottles in a variety of sizes for easy storage and gifting. Keep the cordial in the fridge and use within a month. You can freeze the cordial for up to a year but make sure you freeze it in a plastic bottle.
INGREDIENTS
2 lemons, sliced
2 limes, sliced
1 orange, sliced
10 elderflower heads, stems and small stalks removed
500g caster sugar
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
3.5 litres boiling water
INSTRUCTIONS
Place the elderflowers into a large bucket or bowl, making sure all traces of green stems have been removed
Add the sliced lemons, limes and orange along with the sugar
Pour over the boiling water and stir carefully
Cover the bowl with a large cloth or tea towel and leave in a cool, dark place for 24-48 hours
After this time, sieve the cordial into a second clean bowl to remove the larger fruit and flowers
Ensure your bottles are clean and sterilised
Place the funnel into a bottle, lay the muslin cloth inside and pour in the cordial. The muslin will ensure any small pieces of flower or debris are removed
Continue to pour the cordial into each bottle and either serve immediately or store
NOTES
The cordial will keep in sterilised bottles in the fridge for approximately one month.
When freezing the cordial, pour into a plastic bottle and use within one year.
