On such a beautiful Monday morning on the 1st June 2009 i finally got to go out and pick the first elderflower of the year. I have been very excited and making plans for a while now as to how much i need to make in order to make a living and, for future summer stock.
On the left you can see a mornings collection, taking about three hours and eight miles. Mollie (my dog) also enjoyed it immensely and as i write is fast asleep.When i got home i set about sterilising two 15 litre buckets with lids. I normally use Milton sterilising liquid for this as the process is simple and relatively stress free and quick.
My recipe is for a large quantity but there are many other recipes online which are very similar and all work.
The photo on the left is everything in the bucket to be covered with a lid and refrigerated for two day or 48 hours. 24 hours can be enough but i prefer to give it that extra as i believe it benefits.
When adding the sugar to the liquid be sure to stir, boiling is not necessary. Once diluted pour onto the lemons and elderflower. Finally add the citric acid and stir.
When straining be careful and pour through a clean piece of muslin into a sterilised bucket.
If your are wanting to keep for a long period of time it is advisable to add Cambden tablets in the correct dosage. these will help kill the natural yeasts in the flower stopping the cordial form going fizzy.
The Recipe
Elderflower Cordial
330 heads elderflower
15 l water
8 kilos sugar
28 lemons
350g citric acid
Camden tablets
I will post the finished product in a couple of days, now to get on with making champagne
