Traditional Elderflower Cordial

Ingredients

For each litre of water allow 10 large elderflower heads, 1 lemon (grated zest and juice) and 1 tsp citric acid (optional) and 1/2 kilo white sugar. 

Directions

Boil the water and pour over the flowers and zest. Leave overnight in a warm place to infuse. 

In the morning strain the liquid off through a scalded piece of muslin placed over a sieve into a saucepan. Add the lemon juice and sugar. 

Heat gently, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. then turn up the heat and bring to a boil. Boil rapidly for 3 minutes exactly then take off the gas. 

Pour, via a funnel, into sterilised bottles. Seal with a sterilised cap and leave to cool. 

Dilute the cordial with water or fizzy water to serve. 

Note

I have experimented with lower amounts of sugar but less than 250g/litre and it doesn’t keep well. This gives a less sweet cordial that is not as syrupy. 

There is also a recipe for Meadowsweet Cordial and a video 

What do you think?

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