Since updating my status on facebook, and boasting about my 5 buckets of elderflower cordial in the making, I've had a couple of requests for the recipe.
Its a tried and tested one, super easy, and pretty much foolproof.
You need a bucket with a lid, but no other special fancy equipment.
Pick approx 30 elderflower heads. Ignore any little beasties as they will be
euthanised (sorry!)
Put in the bucket
Pour over 2kg of sugar. In Sweden sugar comes in a 2kg bag, so no measuring needed!
Add 60g of citric acid granules. Again, comes in handy packs here!
Wash and slice 2 lemons. Add to bucket
Pour over 2 litres of boiling water. This is the euthanising part.
Stir well to make sure the sugar is dissolved.
Put the lid on the bucket. Leave for 5 days in a cool place. (We have a food cellar so
that is ideal) Stir every other day.
Strain through a muslin cloth into a pan, measure the amount and add the appropriate quantity
of preservative. I use natrium benzoate. This means you don't need to freeze the cordial and it keeps for well over a year. If you don't add the natrium benzoate, it will keep for about a fortnight in the fridge, or you can always freeze it in plastic bottles. We don't have a big freezer, but we do have a big food cellar.
I prewash my bottles in boiling water before bottling the cordial.
To serve, dilute with ice cold water, if you like serve with a couple of slices of lemon. Some people use sparkling mineral water, but I just like the oldfashioned way. I dilute it in 1 part cordial to 4 parts water.
I have also used the undiluted cordial to make elderflower parfait.....leave a comment if you'd
like that recipe!
