How to make: Elderflower cordial


Last week I noticed the first flowers on the Elder, I had to contain myself not to pick them yet as 20 flowers were needed for the recipe below. After a few days of warm sunny weather the time had arrived for the annual Elderflower cordial. What a treat, my boys love it!


It is so quick, easy and cheap that one wonders why you go out and buy it in the shops?

On the web I found Sophie Grigson's elderflower cordial

20 heads of elderflower
1.8kg sugar £1.28
1.2 litres water
2 un-waxed lemons £0.50
75g citric acid
One 500ml bottle will cost you approximate £0.45 to make, not bad as you could have to pay nearly £2 in the shops!

1. Shake elderflowers to get rid of insects and place in large bowl
2. Put sugar into pan with water. Bring to the boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved completely.
3. While sugar syrup is heating, pare zest of lemons off in wide strips and toss into the bowl with the elderflowers. Slice lemons, discard ends and add slices to the bowl. Pour over the boiling syrup and then stir in the citric acid. Cover with a cloth and leave at room temperature for 24 hours.
4. Next day strain cordial through a sieve lined with muslin (or a new j-cloth rinsed in boiling water) and pour into thoroughly cleaned glass or plastic bottles.

Cheers!