Elderflower and Mint Cordial
Elderflower and Mint Cordial 🥂
Today we made our first batch of Elderflower Cordial, and I thought I would try something new and add some mint to the mix. It worked wonderfully and this cordial is a lighter, slightly less tangy version of my usual elderflower cordial, with a fresh taste of summer. Funny the elderflower doesn’t seem as strong as it did last year though and I am putting that down to the lack of sun which often effects such things.
To make around 1.25 Litre you will need:
-25 large Elderflower heads
- 1 large handful of mint, I had a mix of normal mint and spearmint
- 500g sugar more or less to taste
- Two large or four small lemons
- 1 tsp Citric acid.
- Cheesecloth for straining
- Sterilised bottles
Shake the elderflower heads to remove any bugs, remove them from the larger stalks and place in the pan . Grate the zest of the lemons and add to the flower heads then quarter the lemons, squeezing in the juice and add to the mix. Add your mint stems and leaves. Add 1.5litre of water and bring to the boil, simmer and stir for around ten minutes before turning the heat off, cover and leave to steep for 24 hours.
After 24hours, place your bottles in the oven to sterilise and then strain the liquid through the cheesecloth, discard the pulp.
Place the liquid back in the pan and slowly add the sugar, dissolving it and tasting as you go, some like a tang others like it a little sweeter.
Bring to the boil for a couple of minutes before decanting into sterilised bottles with a funnel.
Keep refrigerated (will keep for 2-3 months in the fridge) dilute one part cordial to two parts ice cold water and serve with a slice of lime and spring of mint!
Thanks to @marksandspencer for the amazing bottles which I have reused for this make (they did ironically contain sparkling Elderflower)
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