Elderflower Cordial

Method

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1. Shake the elderflower heads gently to remove any insects, and trim off any thick stalks. Do not wash them.

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2. Put the water and sugar in a large pan and heat, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil, then take off the heat and cool for 10 minutes.

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3. Stir in the citric acid.

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4. Put the elderflower heads and sliced lemons in a very large bowl or pan and pour over the syrup. Press the flowers down to submerge them.

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5. Cover with a cloth and leave to steep for 24 hours.

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6. Strain through a muslin-lined sieve into a jug, pressing gently.

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7. Pour into sterilised bottles and seal.

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Chef’s Tips

• Pick the flowers on a dry, sunny morning, when they are full of pollen.
• Do not wash them. It rinses off the pollen and the scent.
• Dilute to taste, about 1 part cordial to 5 parts water.

Pairing Suggestions

• Sparkling water
• Gin
• Gooseberry fool

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate up to 2 months, or freeze in bottles or ice cube trays for 6 months. It keeps longer if sterilised.

Common questions

Nutritional Highlights

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.