Elderflower Cordial

It is that time of year again when the Elderflower starts to blossom, allowing us to create a delicious fruity cordial.

First of all you will need to pick some Fresh Elderflower. This is usually found on the side of the road or in a field of a countryside area. Picking Elderflower from the side of the road can be quite dangerous while flowers can also tainted with petroleum fumes. In this case, I recommend a field of some sort away from the road.

Tips
1. Do not mix up Elderflower with Cow Parsley.  I made a huge rookie mistake by doing this before as they are quite alike. Cow Parsley are usually on the side of the road sticking up from straight green thick stalks whereas Elderflower is on a bush and usually grows high up.
2. If you pick the Elderflower and do not plan to used it straight away, be sure to freeze it as this keeps the flavour. The longer they are left out in the air they will wilt and wont be suitable for making cordial
3. Citric acid can be found in any pharmacy. It is used to kill bacteria and therefore acts as a preservative. This will allow the Elderflower cordial to last up to a year.
4. Store in glass bottles with screw top lids.

Ingredients:
- Elderflower (50 heads)
- 4Ib of granulated sugar
-2pints of water
-2 lemons each chopped into founded fours (using the zest from 1)
-2oz citric acid


Step 1. Pour 2 pints of water and 4Ib of granulated sugar into a large pot and bring to the boil. Stir with the heat while dissolving as much sugar as possible.
Step 2.While the sugar is dissolving, shake the Elderflower heads lightly to remove any insects that could be on them. Remove as many of the green stalks as possible.
Step 3.Take the water off the heat. Add lemons (including zest off one) , citric acid and Elderflower heads.
Step 4.Allow to sit for 24 hours
Step 5.Put the cordial through a a very fine sieve in order to get rid of all the little bits.

Store in glass bottles with screw top lids.

My favourite ways to use Elderflower cordial:
1. Dilute with water/sparkling water
2. Mix with Gin and soda water or white lemonade
3. Add to wine

Make loads of batchs now while the Elderflower is here. They will be gone soon. Enjoy bottles of Elderflower cordial all year round :)