A 21st century good life in Bristol: part 10 – elderflower cordial
Thu, 2011-08-11 15:31
It's time to make the most refreshing drink known to humankind
A 21st century good life in Bristol: part 10 – elderflower cordial
Tue, 14/06/2011 - 15:04
Submitted by Fergus Collins
In the current issue of Countryfile Magazine, chef Valentine Warner and good-lifers James and Holly Strawbridge suggest a few recipes for making the most of elderflowers (which are coming to an end in my part of the world – Bristol).
One recipe they didn't include was elderflower cordial – the finest of all drinks. It's very basic but perfect.
INGREDIENTS
900g sugar
600ml water
30g citric acid
1 lemon
10-15 flower heads – do not wash. Pick off any insects.
900g sugar
600ml water
30g citric acid
1 lemon
10-15 flower heads – do not wash. Pick off any insects.
METHOD
Bring water to boil
Put sugar in a bowl
Add water to sugar and stir until sugar dissolved
Add citric acid, stir until dissolved
Grate rind of lemon and add to syrup
Slice lemon, add slices to syrup – I sometimes add a slosh of white wine vinegar at this stage but I have no idea why…
Add flower heads.
Stir a few times and leave to steep for 24 hours.
Strain and bottle.
Bring water to boil
Put sugar in a bowl
Add water to sugar and stir until sugar dissolved
Add citric acid, stir until dissolved
Grate rind of lemon and add to syrup
Slice lemon, add slices to syrup – I sometimes add a slosh of white wine vinegar at this stage but I have no idea why…
Add flower heads.
Stir a few times and leave to steep for 24 hours.
Strain and bottle.
To use, simply dilute with water – fizzy is best.
You can freeze it for use in the winter months to remind you of late spring and – admittedly wet – early summer.
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