Wednesday, 1 June 2011

Recipe - Natural elderflower cordial


Following on from my previous post, I strained the elderflower & lemon mixture and poured the cordial into 3 bottles.
As you can see, one of them has already gone down...

It is so fresh tasting, so much nicer than shop bought cordials. If you have elderflower shrubs within easy reach, I urge you to have a go at making some. The whole process is so rewarding, from picking the elderflowers to finally drinking this beautifully fragrant drink.

It is so simple and easy to make, just a little patience is required until you can sample it.

There are many recipes out there but this is how I made mine this time:

INGREDIENTS:
25 - 30 elderflower heads
1.5 Litres of boiling water
4 lemons (I used unwaxed organic)
1Kg of organic caster or granulated sugar
I did not use any citric acid this time

When picking the elderflowers, look for healthy looking shrubs away from the road side.
I do not wash the elderflower head as it is said that it can take away some of the flavour.

When you have collected the heads, shake them gently to get rid of any unwanted insects. There were quite a few thunder bugs on the ones we found so it took a while to shake them off but we got there in the end!

HOW I MADE IT:
Pour the sugar into a large saucepan or large (heat proof) glass bowl and add the boiling water. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Leave to cool down completely.
Grate the lemons to remove the zest then cut the lemons in to slices.
Add the lemon zest, slices and flowers heads into the sugary water, stir.
Place in a cool area with a tea towel or cling film on top and leave to infuse for 24 to 48 hours. Stir occasionally during that time.
When ready, strain through muslin into sterilised bottles. Store in the fridge.

Pour some in to a glass, top up with water, ice cube and a slice of lemon or lime and enjoy.....


It depends on which part of the country or the world you live in but hopefully, some of you should still be in with a chance of making some. You'll be glad you did!

A bientôt!

Isabelle X
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18 comments:

  1. Anonymous1 June 2011 at 14:31

    Great job Isabelle!!!
    I love elderberry juice:)

    Have a nice day.

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  2. Lalabibaby @ Dreaming of The Simple Life1 June 2011 at 14:58

    Thanks for the recipe Isabelle ... I have managed to keep my husband and his secateurs away from the elder tree this year (he hacked it down just as it was flowering last year!). I'm going to wait and use the berries though. First batch of goosegog jam made this morning ... you just can't beat home made x

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  3. Lululiz1 June 2011 at 15:20

    Your last post had reminded me of how much we used to love the homemade elderflower cordial, so I went out this morning and picked some and got it started. The kitchen smells rather lovely.

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  4. lemonade kitty1 June 2011 at 15:22

    The cemetery right next to us has loads of bushes so I think I'll pop down with my basket this afternoon and give your receipe a go, thanks, Lucey x

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  5. KC'sCourt!1 June 2011 at 16:33

    I must make some no excuse the tree is at the bottom of the garden!
    Julie xxxxxxx

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  6. Madelief1 June 2011 at 19:40

    Dear Isabelle,

    I wish I had time to make some! I made some last year. It tasted heavenly!!!

    Happy evening & lieve groet,

    Madelief x

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  7. BusyLizzie1 June 2011 at 20:31

    Sounds gorgeous! i had a lovely neighbour who used to make elderflower champagne years ago. yummy! xx

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  8. angie1 June 2011 at 20:54

    Thanks for the recipe!!! i love your pics!!! hava a nice day, greetings, angie

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  9. Marilyn1 June 2011 at 23:33

    Will have to try this. My plants are just coming up and will bloom later. We had a late, wet, windy spring here in Colorado. If this tastes as sweet as the flowers smell, it must be delicious! ♥♫

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  10. Vintage Sunday2 June 2011 at 00:12

    Oh it looks just wonderful Isabelle ~ Well done! And such a pretty little glass you have it in as well! Just lovely! Thank you for sharing the recipe, Love Brenda

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  11. Heirloom treasures2 June 2011 at 04:32

    Sounds lovely and refreshing but don't know if we can get elderflowers here in South Australia.xx

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  12. Anonymous2 June 2011 at 08:00

    Hello Isabelle,
    The elderflowers have just come out near me so your post is perfectly timed to prompt me into making some cordial. Your photos are lovely and I especially love that pretty glass.
    Best wishes.

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  13. Sylvia2 June 2011 at 13:15

    Hello Isabelle,
    Sounds nice homemade elderflower cordial, thanks for the recipe !
    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Sylvia

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  14. Jess3 June 2011 at 13:11

    YuM! I must get round to doing this one day :)x

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  15. Josephine Tale Peddler6 June 2011 at 01:29

    The shaking the bugs off bit sounds a bit daunting but you've made me crave this brew. I also feel like making some home-made ginger beer now. Home brew is so much better than any shop beverage! xx

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  16. Anonymous13 June 2011 at 18:07

    Thank you for the recipe. I have made it with citric acid but it is not easy to buy, so I shall try your recipe IF our elderflowers ever blossom! I usually freeze the cordial for a year round supply!

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  17. Elaine18 June 2011 at 02:18

    Sounds delicious! I love elderflower water. Love the glass too!

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  18. rosenrot6 July 2011 at 20:12

    Hello Isabelle,
    I wish I had time to make some!
    It tasted sooo good.
    Thank you so much for following my blog.
    I hope you sometimes leave a comment on my blog.
    I also enjoy reading them :))
    Have warm and sunny days for the rest of the week
    MArlies

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Hello.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment on my blog. I enjoy reading them all! I am sorry if I cannot always reply.
Isabelle x