Elderflower Cordial

This is one of my favourite recipes as it captures the essence of summer and puts it into a bottle to enjoy for many weeks. Always pick the flowers on a dry sunny day and smell the flowers first as the aroma of each tree is different and some are not so pleasant. Remember to wipe the white pollen from you nose. 

The finished cordial should keep for a month or so and should be kept in the fridge once opened. We have it simply diluted to taste with sparkling water, but it is also delicious added to a gin and tonic or poured over a fruit salad.

Ingredients
20-25 elderflower heads
1.5L water
1Kg sugar
2 lemons

Method.

Pick over the flowers over for insects and put in a large pan.
Bring the water to the boil and pour over the flowers with the juice and zest of the lemons. Cover and leave over night.
Strain the liquid through a scalded muslin, add the sugar and gently bring to the boil stirring until the sugar is dissolved, simmer for a couple of minutes.

Pour into hot sterilised bottles and refrigerate after opening if possible to extend its life.