Elderflower Cordial Time

Since moving from the outskirts of a city to a rural market town seven years ago, one of the many things I really appreciate is how I feel so much more aware of the seasons. I think there are several reasons for this, the first one being the beautiful view from my Attic window. Every single day I look out across the rooftops to the fields and hills beyond and observe the ever changing colours as the weather and seasons do their thing.

Where I used to live there were no hills. None-what-so-ever. The landscape was as flat as a pancake and as such it was hard impossible to really get a feel for what was going on around you. The compensation for this was Big Skies, but oh I do really love to be surrounded by hills and I don't miss that flattened out landscape one little bit. I also used to go almost everywhere by car when I lived on the outskirts of the city, as everything I needed to get to on a daily basis was so much further away. Living here I walk absolutely everywhere, which means I am very much more aware of the weather conditions/seasons as I am not riding around in a metal box.

Blogging my daily life is also a terrific help in reminding me of my connection to the land and the seasons. My blog gives me a precious little window to gaze through and gain access to my faded memory banks, and I am often surprised and delighted by the rhythmic and repetitive nature of my lifestyle. It tickles me that year after year we do the exact same things on more or less the exact days of each month!

For the past three years, June has been the month of the Elderflowers. There are a lot of trees in my neighbourhood, they sprout like giant overgrown weeds in the most unlikely of places - along roadsides and verges, in hedgerows, along paths and even out of walls. In early June as I go about my business to and fro, I keep an eye on the flowers, waiting patiently for the tight little green bobbles to open up and produce a froth of creamy white, teeny tiny flowers. Last year we made our first pickings right in the middle of the month, with a second batch a week later.

This year, the flowers have been late as we had a very long, cold Spring and Summer has been slow to get going. But during the last week in June I suddenly noticed creamy white flowers everywhere and knew it was finally cordial making time.

I went with the Little People on Monday evening after dinner to gather in the floral booty. It had been a very hot sunny day and the evening remained balmy and completely summery, it was a gorgeous time to be out and about.

This year I found a new place to go not far from home where there was an abundance of trees laden with flowers. So I was able to snip the stems freely, taking only a handful from each place as we strolled along. There was also the bonus of finding a great swathe of ox eye daisies growing wild along the road side, so I thought it would be ok to gather a few. We were walking along a quiet access road along the back of the railway track, not very picturesque but the flower bounty more than made up for the rather industrial feel of the location.

I filled my bag with flower heads, emptying them out onto the back yard table once I was home. I spent a little bit of time freeing up the critters and snipping off as much of the green stems as I could manage, counting the flower heads as I went. This year we had gathered 63 so enough for 2.5 batches of cordial - result!

I have adapted this Sarah Raven recipe, leaving out the limes and reducing the sugar. Elderflower cordial is a cinch to make, this is it in a nutshell....

Put 1.5L boiling water into a large pan on the hob with 1kg of white sugar. Bring to the boil, stirring as the sugar melts.

Add in 25 polleny elderflower heads (stalks removed), stir well and bring back to the boil. Take the pan off the heat.

Add in 30g citric acid (I buy from the local health food shop, but you can find it on Amazon), plus 2 sliced oranges and 2 sliced lemons.

Stir well, cover and leave to cool. I leave mine to infuse for 48 hours, then strain using a jelly bag (this sort of thing), giving the bag a good squeeze to get all the juice from the citrus fruit out. Then bottle the precious liquid and keep it in the fridge ready for when you need to quench your thirst....

....ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, the very taste of Summer in a glass!

Elderflower cordial is diluted with water the same as you would dilute a fruit squash, but I have heard rumour that it is also very good added to a glass of prossecco. I may have to give that a whirl over the weekend (this recipe sounds delicious) as the idea of sitting around in the sunshine sipping a chilled Elderflower Bellini is very, very appealing indeed. Roll on Saturday.........

x

ps elderflower cordial also freezes well, I save up small 250ml water bottles to use for this purpose.

 

 

 

Comments

[Anna]

I love this blog end your posts.

[Joy]

As Saturday has arrived I hope you had your elderflower drink. I can't remember ever tasting it. Next year perhaps xx lots of love Joy xx

[Lindsey Toms]

This year is the first time I have made elderflower cordial and I am so pleased with the outcome. My recipe is much the same as yours but I didn't boils the flowers, just put them in big jars and poured syrup over, leaving 48 hours to infuse. Delicious!

[Robin Summers]

Hmmm I have never heard of elderflower cordial. I will have to try it sometime. First I will have to see if I can find some elderflowers. I am sure they grow here. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I will jot it down in my book of yummy things to try.

[Heather]

PS
Did u know...
If u can't get citric acid.... U can use 1/4 cup of lemon juice for every teaspoon xx so I scrape in pips +all the contents of another lemon... Added Blood grapefruit too my 2nd batch... X

[Halldora]

I try to do this every summer... Its so summery.... Love it. I freeze it in large cubes in plastic bags, similar to these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B004VKD3PO/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1435996784&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=ice+cube+bags&dpPl=1&dpID=51oTdMbECeL&ref=plSrch

1-2 cubes are perfect for 1 glass of water. (Really good with gin too).

Love your post and photos too Lucy - as always 😊.
Summergreetings from Sweden.

[Sarah]

Sounds lovely Luce :) I might have to try making some of that myself!

We'll have to go picking together then you could show me your favourite elderflower spots at the moment xxxxx

[Sylvia OLeary]

Someone gave me a bottle of elderflower and honey. I thought maybe it needed to be diluted so I took a titchy sip. Nope, just 75cl of Nectar of the Gods. Gone. All gone, in a trice.

[ann clements]

i made iced tea today which is delicious as well

[Rachell]

Try a measure in a gin and tonic, it's yummy!

Mum always makes EC and my part is saving small plastic bottles from my coke, water etc in the weeks leading up to it. Then we have some back for the freezer. I like to savour it and so often don't have one defrosted until September. A taste of early summer in late summer / autumn....depending on what the weather's up to that year.

Enjoy x

[Kath]

Summer warmth, nature, family and creativity - bliss!
Thanks for sharing. x

[Penny Rongo]

A wonderful way to enjoy the summer.

[P.lansdowne]

Love the flip flops. I have a pair very similar here in Aus. Summer yeah.Penny.

[jocelyn thurston]

I had to look up elderflowers and elderberries; they may have some natural immune boosting component too...another reason for sipping your cordial. Happy Summery Days!

[Colleen]

Elderflower and pomegranate is sooooo delicious.

[Mary Pugh]

That sounds truly wonderful! Have a glorious weekend! 😊🌸🌸🌸

[Claire]

Oh boy, I need to go hunt down some elderflower trees!!!

I love the fourth photo where the little flowers have gone onto your sleeve! Looks almost like they are embroidered onto it!

[Sharon Izzard]

Elderflowers are amazing, we use them to make elderflower champagne which is amazing (recipe on my blog).
I know what you mean about not missing the flat, we lived on the fens for a few years and I was glad to get back to the hills of Sussex! x

[Stella]

Oh please, where did you find that lovely fold-out trug? It is so beautiful! I haven't made elderflower cordial for a long time, but you have inspired me to begin again. I love your colourful crochet and mindful posts.

[Cathy]

Such a summery thing to do, and so easy! I haven't made mine yet -I'd better hurry up before the flowers go over. My parents made me very aware of the seasons as I was growing up living in the suburbs of a large city. Now we live in a rural town, and it's a delight to have done the same with my own children, marking the seasons with traditions and repeated activities. Looking at your photos can almost smell taste the elderflowers :)
Cathy x

[Denise]

Love reading your posts! I once lived in a small village with young children and walked everywhere. It was divine. I, also, noticed every little thing around me, flower boxes, laundry hanging on the line, longhorn cattle on a hillside, not far from a small animal farm and orchard. Unfortunately, I didn't blog and so didn't share it with anyone. Inspired by your "eye". Your photos take me to a beautiful spot and I am grateful.

[Heather]

I've done mine too. 1st time ever but yesterday found more late flowers. Going tomorrow although it rained today on the Wirral.
I used the Sarah Raven recipe, less sugar and all being well I'll do what you did and steep for 48 not 24 hrs... Its wonderful... NOW im learning what to do with the berry's later on... Blackberries everywhere.. I can hardly contain myself 😊

[Susan]

Sounds delicious - especially added to the prosecco - YUM!

[Angela-Southern USA]

Looks refreshing! I've never had any, but remember your last batch. Enjoy! A rainy day here so I played hooky most of the day. ; )

[Stephie B]

Elderflower cordial, gin and ginger ale makes a lovely summer cocktail!