Elderflower Cordial

lindadykes

I think elderflowers are a bit late this year, they are just about coming out now here. Went for a walk last night with the intention of hopefully gathering enough for elderflower cordial and came back with a mere 4 heads of elderflower!

Good thing though is that in order not to waste them I thought I'd try a sort of cut down version of cordial. Well it isn't strong enough to dilute but I think I have invented a sort of elderflower lemonade and I have to say it is most delicious, anyway recipe_

4 Heads of elderflowers
8oz sugar
1 Lemon thinly sliced
approx 2 pts of boiling water.

Shake the elderflowers to get rid of any beasties then place in a bowl with the sugar and lemon. Pour over the boiling water and stir till the sugar is dissolved. Leave for 24 hours covered at room temperature. Strain and serve over ice.

Incidently I make elderflower cordial every year - my DD loves it. I have never used citric acid because I have never had any to hand. The cordial never lasts long enough to need any sort of preservative - I seem to make it every couple of days whilst the elderfowers are in season. -BUT this seasonality is one of the things that old style brings back and it is looked forward to and enjoyed all the more so for that.

AussieLass

You can freeze the heads in a plastic bag until you have enough for a full batch.

HelenKA_2

Can anyone point me in a direction to get elderflowers in or near Edinburgh? I'd love to try this out.

thriftlady_2

Sorry I can't help with Edinburgh, but I know where there are loads in Worcester:D They are a bit later this year, I see from an earlier post that I was picking them on May 22nd last year.

I've made a batch using about 20 heads, 5 lemons and 5 oranges, 2 kg of sugar and 2 litres of water. Very sucessful. I filled a bottle for the fridge and poured the rest into plastic bags and froze. When we've finished the bottle I'll defrost a bag and decant it into the bottle.

We like it diluted about 1:10 with sparkling water. You can also use neat in sweet dishes- gooseberry fool for instance.

Joannaclaire

AussieLass wrote: »

You can freeze the heads in a plastic bag until you have enough for a full batch.

Really? I wasn't sure whether that would work? How long do they keep frozen for?

I was wondering about this as I'm going to be away for the time the flowers here are out and won't have time to make full use of all the elderflowers so was thinking of getting my husband to freeze some for when I get back.

AussieLass

For ages I presume. I got that tip from someone on here a while ago. Our tree is still only small and I don't often get all the flowers in one go to make a batch of cordial.

Joannaclaire

Thanks aussielass, that's really helpful. Will get my husband busy picking while I'm away.

rustyjemma

Im looking for an elderfllower cordial recipe that uses honey instead of sugar . Its for my father, he likes to be unusual.

Can any of you ppoint me in the right direction?

queen_of_string

Made my first batch yesterday with frozen heads. Will keep you posted on the results.

donna73

made my first batch today of elderflower cordial today, does anyone know how long it will keep?
i'm guessing it should be kept in the fridge once the bottle is opened, but will it be ok in the cupboard until then?