Elderflower Cordial

frivolous_fay

Does anyone make elderflower wine? A taste from my childhood!

Dustykitten

I was so excited today when I saw a few elders just starting to come into bloom, not enough for harvesting yet but nearly time. I plan to make more this year and may even freeze some.

mambury

I am very lucky in that I have a mature elder in my hedge at the bottom of my garden. Very special for me as it brings back memories of childhood, picking elderberries for apple and elderberry pie.........YUM!
DH has been told he is NOT to touch it on pain of death......:D and if he leaves it them I might be nice and have a go at some elderflower champers this year!

ampersand

mambury wrote: »

I am very lucky in that I have a mature elder in my hedge at the bottom of my garden. Very special for me as it brings back memories of childhood, picking elderberries for apple and elderberry pie.........YUM!
DH has been told he is NOT to touch it on pain of death......:D and if he leaves it them I might be nice and have a go at some elderflower champers this year!

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hello mambury. I pressed Thanks button because I have same and this morning has been big works down the back to establish railings and old wrought iron gate{ex-stately manor)there. Have to let fenceposts go off before hanging it, but morning has been lovely, accompanied by 2 eager robins at every turn of spade into earth untouched for over 50 years.
Trimming of low, groundscraping elder branches also means I'm now at next stage - hence here - i.e. nipping flowerheads off for various recipes which I've come in to consult.
Enjoy the rest of the lovely afternoon everyone.:D.

Dustykitten

Picked my first 50 heads this morning, brought my unwaxed lemons. No citric acid in boots so went to an independant pharmacy and it was £1.89 per 50g box - got asked the usual what do you want it for question. This does seem expensive but my memory is poor and last year's box does not have a price on.

So how much are you paying for the acid and from where?

Blairweech

Has anyone started on their elderflower cordial this year yet? I am hoping to make it this year for the first time, but do not know how early/late the elderflowers are...I have yet to find any in my area.

Also, when I do make it, is it ok to just re-use screw top (wine) bottles? Will they be suitably sealed?

csarina

Our elder flowers are not out yet, of course we are 300 miles further north this year than we were last year. I will make 2 batches, freeze some, give some away and drink some myself. I really miss it when I do not have any in the fridge.

I used to get citric acid from Wilkinsons, but I guess I will have to get it from our local chemist now.

thriftlady_2

Another week or two I reckon yet. Pick on a dry day;)

Citric acid is unecessary if you freeze it.

I never bother with citric acid as it is only there for preserving purposes. I fill a couple of strerilised screw top bottles with cordial and refrigerate. The rest I pour into plastic tubs and freeze, then I defrost it as we use up the stuff in the bottles and decant into the bottles.

Blairweech

Ok I think I have found some elderflowers. Should they smell kind of lemony?

Dustykitten

When they are over ripe they smell of cat wee. Check you are collecting the right stuff as sorbus flowers can look similar if you don't know what you are looking for. Have you googled search on images?

Best to pick them in the morning when the sun is on them.