Elderflower Cordial

by Alison
(Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex)

Elderflower Cordial is the quintessential English summer drink - fresh and crisp, very easy to make and it's much cheaper to make it than buy it! The elderflowers are in bloom during June in the UK - you'll see (and smell!) them everywhere at this time of year.

Ingredients:

20 elderflower heads (choose those in full bloom and give them a gentle shake to get rid of creepy crawlies!)
4lbs sugar
2 unwaxed lemons, zested and sliced
2 pts water
3 oz citric acid (stocked by most chemists. It helps the cordial keep but you can leave it out if you want and subsitute with another couple of lemons)

Put the flowers, lemon and citric acid in a large glass or stainless steel bowl.

Bring the water to the boil in a large saucepan, add the sugar and stir to dissolve it completely. Pour over the elderflowers and lemons, cover and leave to stand for 24 hours.

Strain through a muslin (or fine sieve) into sterilised bottles or jars with screw tops. Easiest way to sterilise the bottles is to wash them in hot soapy water, rinse well and then dry off in the oven (lowish heat) for 10 minutes or so.

I keep the Elderflower Cordial in the fridge and it lasts for months. Might be fine in a cool, dark cupboard.

To serve - dilute with still or sparkling water.
You can use it in all kinds of puddings - it goes very well with gooseberries and it makes a fabulous, fresh sorbet.