Elderflower Cordial

A simple summery drink - but put a couple of bottles in the freezer for happy memories and optimistic dreaming at Christmas and New Year.

• Ingredients:
  20 elderflower heads;
  1 lemon (sliced);
  2tsp citric acid;
  3 1/2lb sugar;
  2 1/2 pints boiling water.
• Put all the dry ingredients into a clean pan. Pour boiling water over. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Skim. Cover with a cloth or lid. Stir twice daily for five days. Strain through muslin and bottle in clean sterile bottles.
• The cordial can be frozen in plastic bottles (leave space for expansion). Fresh cordial can be refrigerated for up to two weeks.
• Dilute with water, sparkling mineral water or lemonade and serve with slices of lemon and sprigs of mint. Add gin and soda water, or vodka. Make diluted Elderflower Cordial into a delicately refreshing sorbet.

Elderflower Champagne

• Mix 1.5 lbs sugar, 2 tbsp wine vinegar, the juice and grated rind of 1 lemon.
• Add 8 pints cold water, and 3 large heads of elder flowers.   Stir and let stand for 2 days.
• Then strain and store in screw-top bottles - leave at least 2 inches air space at the top of each bottle!   Drink after 2 weeks - don't store any longer, unless you can seal the bottles with wired-down corks.

(I haven't tried this yet - found it in an old book in a friend's house; you could also try Paul's Elderberry Page).