There is a short window in May/June where you can pick Elderflowers from parks and hedgerows in Ireland. Each year I pick the flowers in May and then come back to harvest the berries in September, to make two very delicious but different drinks.
I make this cordial once a year and then bottle it to use throughout the year. Unlike most of my other recipes, it does contain sugar and lots of it but you only use a small amount and dilute to use. It is really popular at my fermentation demos where it is added to my water kefir for the second ferment but it can also be added to sparkling water for a refreshing drink or poured over a summer fruit salad or in a gin and tonic.
Give the stem a little shake to remove any insects before you start making the cordial. The elderflower should have a slight 'body odour' type of smell when you smell it up close and have five leaflets on a single stalk.
UPDATE: REMOVE THE FLOWERS FROM THE STALK BEFORE STEEPING.
**Top tip - allow the sterilized bottles to cool slightly before filling as otherwise the bottle will crack!
** you can use coffee filter paper to strain if you prefer
Ingredients:
2kg caster sugar (or stevia)
1.2 L water
50 heads elderflower
3 unwaxed lemons
75g citric acid (to preserve)*
Directions:
1. Heat the sugar and water in a saucepan until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Remove any leaves from the elderflower and shake them off to remove any bugs. Place in a large bowl or container.
3. Using a peeler, remove the skin from the lemons and add to the sugar solution.
4. Slice the remaining lemons and place on top of the flowers.
5. Stir the citric acid into the sugar mixture until dissolved.
6. Pour this mixture over the flowers, mix well and ensure the flowers are immersed in the liquid.
7. Cover and leave to soak for 24- 48 hours.
8. Sterilize your bottles and lids, place clean glass bottles in the oven at 170°C for 15 mins or run them through the dishwasher without detergent.
9. Strain the soaking flowers through a clean muslin or j cloth into a sterilized jug. Using a funnel, pour into the bottles and seal the bottles.
10. These bottles can be kept for up to a year, once opened, keep in the fridge.
11. This is delicious drizzled over summer berries or as a drink with sparkling water or to jazz up a glass of prosecco!.
*Citric acid is available from pharmacies. The sugar can be replaced with stevia but it will seriously increase the cost.
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#elderflower #cordial #drink #harvest #seasonal #Fermentation #CookFromScratch #FionasFoodForLife
