Glorious Elderflower Cordial Recipe

Oh Happy Day ... Summer's finally here. I always know it's so when the elderflowers bloom in the hedgerows.

There really is nothing better than a pint glass filled to the top with fizzy mineral water, ice and home-brewed elderflower cordial.

So I thought I'd share the recipe so you can delight in this bounty of nature too ... But hurry, there's only a few weeks of opportunity to get the fresh flower heads at their best.

ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL RECIPE (tried & tested & highly delicious)

• 20 heads of elderflower


• 1.8kg granulated sugar or caster sugar


• 1.2 litres of water


• 2 unwaxed lemons


• 75g citric acid

Shake the elderflowers to expel any lingering insects, and then place in a large bowl.

Put the sugar into a pan with the water and bring up to the boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.

While the sugar syrup is heating, pare the zest of the lemons off in wide strips and place in the bowl with the elderflowers. Slice the lemons, discard the ends, and add the slices to the bowl.

Pour over the boiling syrup, and then stir in the citric acid.

Cover with a cloth and leave at room temperature for 24 hours.

Next day, strain the cordial through a sieve lined with muslin (or a new j-cloth rinsed out in boiling water), and pour into thoroughly sterilised glass bottles.

Pour a little of the cordial into a glass, and add chilled water, carbonated water or lemonade.

Delicious!

Enjoy.