Elderflower Cordial

thriftlady_2

They're a bit early this year. I've already seen some in flower near me. The council cut down the big elder that was just behind our house :mad: I shall have to go out on my bike and fill up the basket

jennybb

They are a bit later ooop here in the north west - none yet, def. plan to make some cordial this year. I need to go out on my bike for some wild garlic..................I feel another post coming on

Ted_Hutchinson

I noticed our Elderflowers are just about to open so next sunny day we'll be cordial making.
Elderflower recipes
Sophie Grigson's
One with oranges and lemons We didn't like this as much though it is nice.

Look how much it is if you buy it Home made will be just as good honesly and it's so easy to do.

Elderflower Cocktails but it's fine on it's own, you don't have to add gin or brandy to make it drinkable.

Should also say you may have trouble finding citric acid. It's often kept under the counter so you may have to ask. If not "Home Brew" suppliers will have it. Also Indian/Chinese cash & carries or suppliers may have it. It keeps well so if you have to buy a bigger box than needed for this years supply it will last for next years batch. But once you made it you will want to make more.

Herbaholic

Mmmm will be having a go at the elderflower cordial, I always mean to make some but end up making elderflower 'champagne' instead. It's dead easy and makes a fizzy and slightly alcoholic yummy summer drink when chilled. If anybody wants the recipe (assuming it hasn't been posted already) let me know. Also time to make some ginger beer as well which is yummy chilled for drinking in the summer months.Thanks for the recipe links Ted

Ahhhh, just noticed that there is a recipe for Elderflower champagne on Ted's elderflower recipes link, there's a more details 'how to make it' recipe here

thriftlady_2

apprentice_tycoon wrote: »

I had made some elderflower cordial before this thread started, I used Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's recipe, he uses tartaric acid in his recipe to preserve it, he says that if it's not used you can keep it for a short while in the fridge.

I decide to freeze my cordial, ice cube trays are the logical container but when I ran out of them I used small tupperware tubs that would be enough for a few days use.
So if the citric acid in Teds recipe is to preserve it then maybe freezing is the way round it

I follow H f-W's recipe too and I never bother with citric or tartaric acid. I just bottle up a couple of bottles for immediate consumption and freeze the rest in pint containers

Gosh, the elderflowers are in full swing round here, must get on with it this week as we're off camping next week and they might all be gone by the time I get back.

npsmama

I just made some without citric acid and it really didn't taste of very much - it was also horribly sweet!
But I just added some citric acid in and it tastes fine now so the citric acid is obviously for the tang factor.

jacky_horn

I made some elderflower cordial, elderflower wine and elderberry wine a few years ago. Cordial was great, elderberry wine was ok but the elderflower wine was disgusting. I put it in the garage. OH moved it from "his" garage to the loft. 7 years on, we found it and tried it. Pure nectar!!!!. Anyone coming to our house and trying it is in raptures. If you have 7 years to spare, or you are better at it than me - I can recommend it.

broke_mary

i would like to say a big thank-you :j to ted hutchinson for this recipe.

i have made it over the last couple of days and its fantastic. i tried last year with another recipe but it was not a success.

i toast you :beer: with a glass i am drinking now made with cold sparkling water.:T

mary

Dustykitten

I've made my first batch of cordial - most enjoyable as it made me go out for a walk in the sun to collect the flowers. Looking forward to the straining and bottling tomorrow.

Next I plan to try the champagne.

M.E.

http://www.countrylovers.co.uk/wildfoodjj/weedgall.htm

Plenty of pictures!!!
We eat ground elder, chickweed, dandelion leaves, blackberry leaves, nasturtiums.
At the moment our spinach has gone to flower/seed so we are eating those. Delicious... rather like asparagus tips.
Elderflower fritters are also very, very nice.
One head of elderflower, dunk in batter and fry.....
Or add the flowers to batter
or just add boiling water to flowers in a mug, steep for 5 minutes and sweeten to taste, dash of lemon or orange is lovely too.