Elderflower Cordial

Ingredients

15 elderflower heads
1 litre of water
500g caster sugar
4 tablespoons of runny honey
2 lemons

Method

1. Wash the elderflowers, and take off any bugs

2. In a large saucepan, put the water, sugar and honey. Slowly bring to the boil and simmer until all the sugar has dissolved.

3. Remove from the heat and add the zest of 2 lemons and the elderflowers. Make sure the flowers are completely covered in liquid

4. Add the juice of 1 lemon and slice the other lemon and add as well.

5. Put the lid on and leave for 24 hours.

6. Strain the cordial by placing a muslin cloth over a sieve. If you don't have a muslin, use good quality kitchen towel.

7. Store in sterilised bottles. Drink diluted with water, sparkling water or Prosecco

 

Foraging tips

1. Ask the landowners permission before picking anything

2. When picking leave or flowers, pick from several different trees or plants. Leave plenty for the plant to develop into fruits and seeds.

3. Find plants away from any busy roads if possible.

4. Avoid low hanging leaves of plants that may have been peed on!

5. Snip off flower heads with as little stalk as possible.

6. Place flowers gently into a basket or bag

7. Choose a dry, sunny morning before the insects have harvested the pollen

8. Use the flowers as soon as possible