Our elderberry bush (Sambucus nigra) is full of flowers , so I have made some elderflower cordial. It is easy, but a bit messy! Pick the flowers when all of the florescence is ripe, but not brown.
Ingredients for 2 x 750g bottles or jars:
- 1.35 kg granulated sugar
- 2 lemons
- 1 lime
- 15 -20 elderflower heads
- 30 g citric acid
- 1.15 litres water
Recipe
- Put the water and sugar into a large saucepan. Dissolve the sugar completely then bring to the boil, this makes the syrup.
- Add the flowers to the saucepan, after giving a shake to remove some little bugs. Bring to the boil, then immediately remove from the heat.
- Thinly slice the fruit into a large bowl and add the citric acid.
- Pour the hot syrup containing the flowers into the bowl. Stir well, cover and leave for 24 hours.
- Use a sieve lined with muslin and pour the liquid into bottles or jars.
- Seal the container and keep in the fridge for up to 2 months. In addition, some can be put into plastic containers or ice cube packs to be frozen.
- Dilute to taste with water, or use to make lots of other elderflower treats.
TIP. Citric acid can be bought at Lakeland and Wilco stores.