Elderflower Cordial

Late spring brings with it the happy bushes of delicious tiny little white elder flowers. Easily made into a sweet cordial syrup with a mildly citrussy flavour and delicate floral undertones.

What the coming of summer tastes like.

Ingredients

25 heads of freshly picked Elderflower Blossoms

1L Water

1kg Sugar

1,5 tsp Citric Acid

2 organic Lemons

Freshly pick 25 flower heads. They are best picked when the buds have freshly opened on a dry sunny day just before noon. If you are picking outside of your own garden: bring a basket or paper bag so they can breathe; don’t use a plastic box or the flowers will sweat and change colour. Use them as soon as possible.

Cut off as much of the stems as you can - if you have the patience you can take off the flowers one by one, but trimming the bigger stems off will also do. Check and remove any insects you may find.

Bring the water to a boil, add in the sugar and citric acid and stir until it has completely dissolved. Set aside to cool slightly.

Slice the lemons and layer them with the elderflowers in a big mason jar. Pour over the warm sugar water and let cool. Close the lid and let steep for 3 days, gently shaking the jar every day.

Strain through a cheesecloth and bottle. Keep refrigerated.

Dilute with (sparkling) water to drink.