Tuesday 10 June 2014

Elderflower Cordial

Summer is coming (sort of..) and what better way to celebrate those long summer evenings than sitting in the sun, with a good book, and a cool drink.

In an effort to make this happen, my mamma and I spent an evening last week brewing up some Elderflower Cordial.




My mamma's been cooking up her cordial every year for as long as I can remember; the page is splattered from years of use, and the handwritten instructions are beginning to fade. It makes me so happy to look at; there's just something so special about a well loved  handwritten recipe that makes my heart smile.



Ingredients:

My mamma works in old money (pounds and ounces) so the quantities in kg look a little odd.. just go with it, it'll be worth it in the end!

3 lb (1.4kg) caster sugar
2pts (1.1ltrs) Water
15 heads of elderflower
2 oranges
2 limes
1oz tartaric acid (28g)

Method:

Heat sugar and water in a saucepan over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved.

Whilst the sugar is dissolving get to work removing the flowers from their stalks, and chop your fruit into thin slices.



Bring the water/sugar to the boil.

Add the elderflower.

Bring to the boil again.

Place the fruit slices and tartaric acid into a bowl, and pour over the syrup.



Leave to cool, cover and leave for 24 hours.

Strain, and bottle (we used a muslin cloth inside a funnel).

Store in the fridge (or freeze, to enjoy later), it should last a couple of weeks, if not more. (if you have the self control to make it last that long!)


Enjoy in the sun; its pretty much compulsory!



I couldn't believe it was so simple!

Oh, and keep your eyes peeled, I'll hopefully be making a cordial based cocktail sometime next week, which I will be sure to pass on to you guys! :)

Much Love,

Jess
xxxx

2 comments:

  1. Looks delicious and elderflower based cocktail sounds beyond amazing!

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    Replies
    1. thank you lovely! I'm thinking something gin based.. :) x

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