Elderflowers

[Stewy]

I was out early this morning and noticed that the elderflowers are on the way so it's time to start thinking about making elderflower cordial, if you have never made it before then give it a try, it's dead easy and mostly free!

1 litre/2 pints elderflowers (measure in a jug, press down lightly to measure)
water
granulated sugar
lemons

Cover the flowers (stalks and leaves removed) with water. Simmer 30 minutes. Top up the pan if necessary to keep the flowers covered. Strain through muslin or a jelly bag, squeezing gently to extract all the juice. Add 350g/12 oz sugar and the juice of 1/2 lemon to each 500ml/1 pint of liquid. Heat gently to dissolve the sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer and skim off any scum. Let the cordial cool. Pour into clean bottles up to about 1 cm/1 inch below the top. Seal the bottles with screw tops or a cork. Thus bottled, the cordial will keep for several weeks in the fridge, but if you wish to keep it for longer, you will need to sterilise the bottles to ensure there are no yeasts or bacteria present which would cause fermentation.

Just to add that it can be frozen too, and a top tip if doing so is to freeze it in them little square milk cartons so they stack nicely in the freezer!!

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Stewy

I was out early this morning and noticed that the elderflowers are on the way so it's time to start thinking about making elderflower cordial, if you have never made it before then give it a try, it's dead easy and mostly free!

1 litre/2 pints elderflowers (measure in a jug, press down lightly to measure)
water
granulated sugar
lemons

Cover the flowers (stalks and leaves removed) with water. Simmer 30 minutes. Top up the pan if necessary to keep the flowers covered. Strain through muslin or a jelly bag, squeezing gently to extract all the juice. Add 350g/12 oz sugar and the juice of 1/2 lemon to each 500ml/1 pint of liquid. Heat gently to dissolve the sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer and skim off any scum. Let the cordial cool. Pour into clean bottles up to about 1 cm/1 inch below the top. Seal the bottles with screw tops or a cork. Thus bottled, the cordial will keep for several weeks in the fridge, but if you wish to keep it for longer, you will need to sterilise the bottles to ensure there are no yeasts or bacteria present which would cause fermentation.

Just to add that it can be frozen too, and a top tip if doing so is to freeze it in them little square milk cartons so they stack nicely in the freezer!!

How do you make the fizzy one. Slightly alcoholic one. Do you know Stewy.

[Stewy]

It's known as Elderflower Champagne Kayleigh, I've not made it before but I know where to get a recipe for it from!

This is courtesy from MrsL off River Cottage!

1 gallon cold water
1 1/4lbs sugar
7 heads elderflowers
2 lemons
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Bring the water to the boil and pour over the sugar; when cold, add the flowerheads, lemon slices and the vinegar. Cover and leave to stand for 24 hours. Syphon off and bottle, using strong bottles. Cork well, as it is very fizzy.
Drink within 2 -3 weeks as it doesn't keep well - it goes off and flat, and turns vinegary. It is mildly alcoholic, to about the same degree as ginger beer..

Wonderful stuff, and well worthwhile making, but please take care to get VERY STRONG bottles.

Here's the whole THREAD if you want to have a nose!
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[Kayleigh]

I get fizzy water I would think these bottles would be OK.

[Stewy]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I get fizzy water I would think these bottles would be OK.

I would of thought so, are you going to have a bash then Kayleigh? Thinking about it I might too, perfect excuse to drink a few bottles of Grolsch!!

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Stewy

I would of thought so, are you going to have a bash then Kayleigh? Thinking about it I might too, perfect excuse to drink a few bottles of Grolsch!!

My mum used to make it...Its lovely stuff.
I may make some, its very refreshing a hot summer day.