Nettle cordial

[ChrisJB]

I bought some Nettle cordial from the farm shop at Rheged (Cumberland) the other day and it's really good. Does anyone have a recipe so I can make some more when I run out?

Regards, Chris

[Kayleigh]

Just done a google and could only find nettle beer recipes. But I did fined where you can buy more..

Thorncroft Wild Nettle Cordial 375ml

[tufftie]

No I don't either but I do have a great one for elderflower cordial if you want that one?

Thinking about it though, cordials are by and large made in the same way, what other flavours did you detect? Must be more than just nettles...ginger, liquorice....? If you let me know I'll try and sort one out for you.

[ChrisJB]

Cheers Kayleigh for that. I like the idea of making some of my own, but I can fall back on Thorncrofts if I don't get a decent recipe.
Tufftie, not sure of the other flavours as yet. I'll check the bottle and get back to you.

Regards, Chris

[ChrisJB]

Right Tufftie, this is what we have:

Fresh nettle leaves (no amount given)
water
cane sugar
blackcurrant (no amount, but can't be much because the colour of the stuff is still green)
citric acid (would citrus fruits be a suitable alternative?)

I look forward to see you weave your magic!

Regards, Chris

[tufftie]

Hi,

Just one thing do they day blackcurrants or blackcurrant leaves? Leaves are quite often used in herbal teas...it may account for the colour still being green.

It needs to be citric acid - for good preservation and you'll need to keep it in the fridge really to..or a very cool place.

Let me know about the blackcurrants and i'll come up with something tomorrow

[ChrisJB]

It just says blackcurrant. In my elderflower cordial I use oranges and lemons, so if I can't use these, where do I buy citric acid? As you can probably guess, I'm a bit of a muppet in this field!

Regards, Chris

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

It just says blackcurrant. In my elderflower cordial I use oranges and lemons, so if I can't use these, where do I buy citric acid? As you can probably guess, I'm a bit of a muppet in this field!

Regards, Chris

Okay - you get it from a chemist but suggest you take recipe book with you! - you'll find out why
If you base it round the elderflower one you shouldn't go too far wrong... don't use too many nettle leaves though or it'll taste like spinach - spinach surprise cordial..yuk!!

[Venger]

As per most things, pick the young leaves on nettles.
Dont pick them near a road (traffic pollution and possible pesticide) or on an old industrial estate.
If it was still green I'd say rasberry leaves were in order rather than berries.

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by tufftie

Okay - you get it from a chemist but suggest you take recipe book with you! - you'll find out why
If you base it round the elderflower one you shouldn't go too far wrong... don't use too many nettle leaves though or it'll taste like spinach - spinach surprise cordial..yuk!!

Now I'm alarmed! I'm scared of asking for it in the chemist now! Please explain before I make a total fool of myself!

I've heard about nettle beer too. Anyone any ideas for that? If it involves weird ingredients like citric acid (I've led a sheltered life!), could you please add where I might buy them.
Thanks in advance.

Regards, Chris

[Kayleigh]

There are loads on the beer..

nettle beer - Google Search

[Stewy]

And if you can't be bothered to make your own then the hairy one AKA Hugh Fearnley what's his name makes a nice drop, trust me I know.

RiverCottage.net

[Siluri]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

Now I'm alarmed! I'm scared of asking for it in the chemist now! Please explain before I make a total fool of myself!

I've heard about nettle beer too. Anyone any ideas for that? If it involves weird ingredients like citric acid (I've led a sheltered life!), could you please add where I might buy them.
Thanks in advance.

Regards, Chris

You can get citric acid from brewing specialists also. When ever I do though
I always make sure to top up on other brewing ingredients such as yeast, nutrient etc. That way you won't get confused with the other type of citric acid user.

I've only ever tried brewing with nettles once. I'm not sure what happened but I ended up brewing something that smelled very sweet and fruity, with a hint of nail varnish remover.
I didn’t dare taste it. By the smell I think the ethanol had oxidised into all sorts of other organic chemicals.

This year though I think I will give it another go, possibly two experimental recipes one with malt, using the nettles as a replacement for hops, and another using a recipe without malt.

There are two in the link below; if you google nettle beer you will get pages upon pages. There’s a thread on River cottage about nettle beer as well.

Two more nettle beer recipes including a stronger nettle beer.

[tufftie]

Yer - you can get citric acid in most chemists too but...for the same reasons as above..take a printed recipe in with you!!!

[ChrisJB]

I guess I must be really thick, but will someone please tell me what 'other' citric acid users there are apart from those making nice, natural beverages??
Now I am really intrigued! If it's too delicate for a wholesome site like W.A.B, them P.M me!
I'm on pins here, wondering.....

Regards, Chris

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

I guess I must be really thick, but will someone please tell me what 'other' citric acid users there are apart from those making nice, natural beverages??
Now I am really intrigued! If it's too delicate for a wholesome site like W.A.B, them P.M me!
I'm on pins here, wondering.....

Regards, Chris

The stressed word is users!!! Pm'd you anyway - not sure if it's okay to mention on here or not , so...

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

I'm on pins here, wondering.....

Regards, Chris

Sorry about this but I hope you didn't get pins and needles waiting for the reply to your question. Sorry in silly mode today !

[ChrisJB]

I'm fully clued up now thank you!

Regards, Chris

[Siluri]

Another way not to get mixed up, as to which user you are, is to ensure that you purchase a spoon, a candle and some rubber tubing along with your citric acid.

[ChrisJB]

Being a silly chap, I fancy striding purposefully into my local pharmacy and asking for a big 'stash' of citric acid. Just to see how the lass behind the counter reacts!
Saying that, my bottle will probably go at the last minute and I'll end up meekly walking out with a new toothbrush.

Regards, Chris

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

Being a silly chap, I fancy striding purposefully into my local pharmacy and asking for a big 'stash' of citric acid. Just to see how the lass behind the counter reacts!
Saying that, my bottle will probably go at the last minute and I'll end up meekly walking out with a new toothbrush.

Regards, Chris

Go on dare you - don't be a wimp now!!! Toothbrush? - thought it was meant to be a tube of toothpaste or does that allude to something else?!!