Prep your Elderflowers
Gently shake the elderflower heads to remove any insects. Gently shake off any excess water and set aside.
Dissolve the Sugar
Place the sugar and water into a very large saucepan (we use our largest Le Creuset pan) . Gently heat, without boiling, until the sugar has dissolved. Keep stirring to avoid the sugar catching the bottom of the pan. This is important.
Zest and Slice Lemons
Zest all of the lemons using a potato peeler, then slice the actual lemons into rounds. We also had limes in our fridge so we decided to pop in too!
Create the Elderflower Cordial
Once the sugar has dissolved, bring the newly created pan of syrup to the boil. Immediately turn off the heat. Gently place your elderflowers, lemons, lemon zest and citric acid into the pan and stir well. Cover the pan and leave to infuse for 24 hrs on a cool spot of the kitchen.
Strain and Store
This part is easier with a second pair of hands! Line a colander with a clean muslin and place it over a large bowl or pan. Slowly pour the syrup onto the muslin. Discard the bits left in the muslin in a food bin. Use a funnel and a ladle to fill sterilised bottles of your choosing. The cordial is ready to drink straight away and will keep in the fridge for up to 6 weeks. You can also easily freeze this cordial recipe in Tupperware to enjoy all year round like we do!
Enjoy your Elderflower Cordial
Pour a small amount of your homemade elderflower cordial into a cold glass with some ice. Fill the glass with cold sparkling water. We like to add a slice of lemon or sprig of mint. Gin and Vodka are also welcome additions to this tipple if you're looking for an alcoholic version.
