25 - 30 elderflower heads
1.8 k sugar
1 litre water
2 lemons (or 1 lemon and 1 orange)
75g citric/tartric acid
Make a sugar syrup by heating the water and adding the sugar, stir until dissolved. Put in a bowl, add the zest from the lemons. Slice the lemons and add them too. Cut the stalks off the flowers (and shake off any creepy crawlies) and add them and the citric acid. Leave to steep for 24hrs (don't worry, it's supposed to smell like cat pee at this stage!) Strain through a muslin and keep in the fridge, can also be frozen.
Last year we also made elderflower gin (I didn't like it but Dad did) and elderflower champagne. If I find time later I'll post those recipes too.
Thanks Tracey, will try this, need to climb the tree I think, ever tried elderberry wine?
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't tried wine making. I'm thinking of making hedgerow jam this year though, probably with blackberries, sloes and elderberries.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to make elderflower cordial you'll need to get your skates on. Down here the flowers are really dieing back now, though as you're further north I guess we may be a bit ahead of you. Oh, and if you can't find citric acid, make it without, doesn't really matter.