Homemade elderflower cordial

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• Gwennie

  14 June 2010

  Gwennie rated and commented on this recipe

  

  Made this recipe over the weekend but found it very sweet, next time I will probably halve the sugar.

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• Leon

  16 June 2010

  Leon commented on this recipe

  I tried to freeze the cordial but after 2 days it's still liquid....assuming it's the high sugar content. Maybe if i try ice cude trays rather than plastic box which is holding a larger amount.

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• Sue Spink

  16 June 2010

  Sue Spink rated and commented on this recipe

  

  I made a half quantity of this just 5 hours ago but I couldn't resist trying it. It is delicious! I will make a double amount tomorrow. You only need a small quantity per glass of soda water - About 1 to 2 tablespoons. I think Gwennie maybe added too much and that was why it was so sweet. This is as nice as any expensive cordial I have bought, a definate favourite.

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• Val

  16 June 2010

  Val commented on this recipe

  I made some for 1st time on Monday and was so pleased, I'll never buy Bottle Green again (nice as it is). I used about 28 heads of elderflowers (they weren't huge), 3.5 lbs. sugar & 2 pts. water, 3 lemons and 75g citric acid. I zested the lemons, rather than pared them, then sliced the fruits. I didn't want it over-sweet hence less sugar & another lemon. Its gorgeous, still sweet but not overly. I haven't checked in freezer to see if it has frozen, but will do so now.

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• debsthelawyer

  17 June 2010

  debsthelawyer commented on this recipe

  Hello can anyone advise me how long the cordial is likely to keep? we are getting married late september and i really wanted to try and make my own cordial to use for soft drinks..... thanks Debs

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• Ruth

  17 June 2010

  Ruth commented on this recipe

  hi debsthelawyer, I made a similar recipe last summer and it lasted well into February this year before going off. I imagine it'll be fine until September for your wedding. I bottled it in old soda water plastic bottles and left them closed the whole time. Once the bottle has been opened, I think the amount of air in the bottle tends to cause the cordial to go off quicker. So I'd recommend filling your bottles full and drink any half-filled bottles first.

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• Leon

  17 June 2010

  Leon commented on this recipe

  Val did your cordial freeze?

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• Lesley R

  19 June 2010

  Lesley R commented on this recipe

  I suggest you source your citric acid before you pick your elderflowers. Sadly a lot of chemists do not keep citric acid, and they have to order it in, because it is used by drug users. So be prepared to be questioned about what you intend to use it for.

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• Janet

  23 June 2010

  Janet rated and commented on this recipe

  

  Wonderful, just making my second batch! I agree that it doesn't freeze, but that makes it easier to take the amount you want out of the freezer each time. Mine is stored in well washed plastic 1 litre milk bottles.

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• kfrej

  07 July 2010

  kfrej rated and commented on this recipe

  

  I used old jam jars and preserved it for winter -really lovely!!

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• Amanda

  27 October 2010

  Amanda commented on this recipe

  I have never made anything with elderflowers before. When it says use 20 something flowers is that the individual tiny flowers or the whole head of flowers. I am in AUstralia and have managed to grow a nice little shrub that should work with this recipe. Thanks.

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• VintageMunchkin

  21 May 2011

  VintageMunchkin rated and commented on this recipe

  

  Mmmm, I do love this stuff! Made it with my class, and have been saving glass bottles all year to bottle it. We've made pretty labels and are selling it. Gorgeous stuff!

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• Avril

  03 June 2011

  Avril commented on this recipe

  made this cordial last year, it was amazing and easy. Had some with sparkling wine for our silver wedding anniversary-yum. Made a few batches and sold it in my cafe.Keeps for longer than 6 weeks, some sediment may form on top, just pour it away.Shall be makeing this year first batch tomorow.

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• Avril

  03 June 2011

  Avril commented on this recipe

  made this cordial last year, it was amazing and easy. Had some with sparkling wine for our silver wedding anniversary-yum. Made a few batches and sold it in my cafe.Keeps for longer than 6 weeks, some sediment may form on top, just pour it away.Shall be makeing this year first batch tomorow.

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• WillyFez

  30 May 2012

  WillyFez commented on this recipe

  Well its harvesting time for the elderflowers and this years batch of elderflower cordial. As with any recipe I would advise that you play around with it a bit untill you find the right balance for your own tastes. Try swapping out the elderflowers for something else, crushed strawberries, crushed raspberries or even blizted mango ... they all make great cordial ... although the mango one can be very sweet.

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• scallysmum

  04 June 2012

  scallysmum commented on this recipe

  we went to the woods and got the elderflower i was so impressed with this drink i would love to make it for my sons wedding, we had it with lemonade and also just water with strawverries and ice its such a brilliant drink I think it tastes very classy and you can serve it with wine its just great and costs next t nothing to make i made 31/2 ltrs not sure how long it will last in fridge but please elt me know. I going to take a bottle to work to share with everyone.

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• JaneyR

  05 June 2012

  JaneyR commented on this recipe

  We swapped citric acid for vitamin c powder - a lot better for you and easier to get (we got ours from Holland and Barrett)

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• Ripley8

  11 June 2012

  Ripley8 commented on this recipe

  I wish I'd seen your vitamin C comment. I live in Glasgow and have just spent an entire afternoon trying to get citric acid. Unfortunately no chemist or store stocks it because heroin addicts use it to dissolve their heroin before injecting. In the end I used some lemon sugar and added an extra lemon. It's my first time making it so who knows what I'll get.

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• stepharoo

  13 June 2012

  stepharoo rated and commented on this recipe

  

  Delicious cordial. It's sweet, and you really don't need much at all. I have had it with fizzy water, lemonade, and even cava. SO nice.

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• kitten

  20 June 2012

  kitten rated and commented on this recipe

  

  used 2kg sugar, bowl not big enough for any more! Its delicious esp over ice with sparking water. Found citric acid at the local chemist but it was under the counter so i had to ask! Def dont need much just a large splash in a glass.

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Ingredients

• 2½kg white sugar , either granulated or caster
• 2 unwaxed lemons
• 20 fresh elderflower heads, stalks trimmed
• 85g citric acid (from chemists)

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Difficulty and servings

Makes about 4 litres

Preparation and cooking times

Prep 20 mins

Cook 10 mins

Ingredients

• 2½kg white sugar , either granulated or caster
• 2 unwaxed lemons
• 20 fresh elderflower heads, stalks trimmed
• 85g citric acid (from chemists)

Per 250ML

619 kcalories, protein 0g, carbohydrate 165g, fat 0 g, saturated fat 0g, fibre 0g, sugar 165g, salt 0.03 g

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