Every year when the elderflower is in bloom, making homemade cordial is a summertime tradition at The St Andrews Hamper Co. HQ. Here in St Andrews and Scottish weather willing, it usually happens sometime in June! Our favourite elderflower cordial recipe makes about three litre bottles per batch. A little of this delicious sweet syrupy cordial goes a long way and can be diluted to taste with chilled still or sparkling water and ice. It's great fun to go foraging for the elderflowers. Who doesn't love food for free? And kids love making it and drinking it. I know mine always did!
- Pick 20 good-sized, sweetly scented elderflower heads from trees and bushes that aren't near roads or traffic.
- 1.8 kg (4lb) granulated sugar
- 1.2 litres (2 pints) water
- 6 lemons
- 50g (2oz) citric acid
Shake off any little insects from the elderflower heads and place in a large bowl. Add the sugar and water into a pan and slowly bring to the boil until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and leave to cool.
Use a vegetable peeler to remove the zest from the lemons, slice the lemons into quarters, then add the strips of zest and lemon quarters to the bowl. Pour in the cool sugar syrup, add the citric acid and give a gentle stir. Cover the bowl with a cloth and leave for 24 hours.
Strain the cordial through a double layer of muslin - I use a lovely large organic muslin cloths from Rory & Ruby's gorgeous Organic Baby Hamper folded in half into a triangle to catch every yummy drop.
Pour the strained cordial into a sterilised bottle. Old style glass bottles with caps are perfect for sealing in the freshness and the cordial should keep for three months if you store it in a cool dark place. Alternatively, pour into sterilised recycled plastic bottles and keep for longer in the freezer to instantly bring back a welcome taste of summer. Cheers!
PS. If you miss the season or don't have the time to make your own cordial, our delicious Luxury Picnic Hamper filled with lots of tasty treats, comes with the option of award-winning sparkling elderflower drink, made in the heart of Perthshire! Perfect for summertime chilling at the beach or in the garden adding a pop to alfresco events.
