As Summer begins it is time to enjoy the beautifully refreshing, inexpensive and easy to make drink – Elderflower cordial.
Elderflower bushes grow all over and flower between May and July. They are distinctive with their white flowers with fine yellow pollen and fragrant smell. It is advisable to pick your flower heads from a variety of bushes as occasionally you may get a bush with a bitter taste.
To help identify Elder see this link
I have made this for about 6 years now and it really is very simple to do. To make about 2 litres you will require;
10 Elderflower heads roughly palm-sized
900g granulated sugar
45g Citric Acid
600mls of water
And that is all.
Method: Heat the water in a saucepan and when near boiling add the sugar, switch off the heat and add the sugar, stirring until fully dissolved. Next add the citric acid and the washed Elderflower heads and leave overnight. Next morning you will need to strain the liquid through a sieve into a jug and then using a funnel pour it into a standard recycled 2L sparkling water bottle. The beauty of these is they can be frozen and used for up to 12 months to make delicious Elderflower cordial all year round.
I have tried making it using lemons instead of the citric acid but i feel the citric acid is needed. Without the cordial lacks the sharpness and zing that is distinctive. Citric acid can be bought from Homebrew websites or online auction sites inexpensively.