Name: Traditional elderflower cordial
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 15 elderflower heads; 2 lemons, unwaxed; 500g sugar; 30g citric acid; 750 ml boiling water

Traditional elderflower cordial

11 Jun 2016

by Dinna

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

5 minutes

Total Time

15 minutes

Background

There are many elderflower cordial recipes around. I prefer this traditional elderflower cordial because it's not too sweet - also it requires more elderflower heads, which give it a more intense taste. You can add an orange or lime to make it a bit more unique.

Ingredients

15 elderflower heads
2 lemons, unwaxed
500g sugar
30g citric acid
750 ml boiling water

Instructions

Put the sugar into a pan and pour over the boiling water. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved (or heat the water and sugar up to boiling point). Let it cool to luke-warm.
Meanwhile peel the zest of the lemons in wide strips, then slice the lemons. Add these to the cooling water.
Stir in the citric acid to the cooled water.
Shake the elderflowers to remove any little insects, then place them in a large ceramic or glass bowl.
Pour over the liquid and stir well. Cover the bowl and leave it in a coolish place for minimum 24 hours ( or up to 48), stirring occasionally.
Strain through a sieve lined with muslin and pour it into sterilized bottles.
Store chilled.