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

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

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

Have a nice day.

Lalabibaby @ Dreaming of The Simple Life said...

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

Lululiz said...

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.

lemonade kitty said...

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

KC'sCourt! said...

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

Madelief said...

Dear Isabelle,

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

Happy evening & lieve groet,

Madelief x

BusyLizzie said...

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

angie said...

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

Marilyn said...

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! ♥♫

Vintage Sunday said...

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

Heirloom treasures said...

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

Anonymous said...

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.

Sylvia said...

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

Jess said...

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

Josephine Tale Peddler said...

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

Anonymous said...

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!

Elaine said...

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

rosenrot said...

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