The Cottage Smallholder

Photo: Lemon and Elderflower cordial

I love drinking citron pressé on a hot summer’s day. This is the juice of half a large fresh lemon, topped up with caster sugar and ice cold water. I discovered this drink on holiday in Brittany when I was nine years old and have enjoyed it ever since.

So this year I thought it would be fun to make an Elderflower cordial with a distinct lemon kick. I’ve just finished bottling it. The result was a zingy grown up cordial that balances tangy lemon with the fragrant buzz of elderflowers. Delicious with iced water (my first teetotal sampling) and even better with a tot of vodka and a large splash of chilled fizzy water. The final combination is so good that I think that I might have to put the cordial in the barn safely out of harms way. Forget tonic water – this combination is a real winner, works out much cheaper than buying tonic and reduces the need for a slice of lemon. A lot of ice is essential.

I have used weights of ingredients as lemons and flower heads can vary enormously in size. I bought the citric acid on line. This recipe made three 75cl bottles and four 50cl bottles. Generally I cork my bottles so as to avoid the danger of exploding glass. I also store them in a cool place.

If you are looking for a more traditional version our traditional Elderflower cordial recipe is excellent.

Tips and tricks:

• How do I sterilise a jelly bag or muslin square?
  Both can be scalded with boiling water. If you are using a clean muslin bag or square you can iron them with a hot iron. This also works with tea cloths.
• How do I sterilise glass bottles and jars?
  The sterilising method that we used is simple. Just before making the syrup, I quickly wash and rinse the bottles and place them upside down in a cold oven. Set the temperature to 160c (140c fan-assisted). When the oven has reached the right temperature I turn off the heat. The bottles will stay warm for quite a while. Sterilise the lids by boiling these for a few minutes in water.