For the next few weeks our parks, woodlands and gardenswill be full of the wonderful scent of elderflowers which are coming into bloom, the creamy white flowers have been used for centuries to make syrups and cordials and there are many commercial brands available, but it is very easy to make your own .
Recipe: (750ml size bottle but can be scaled down)
*This non sugar recipe was listed originally on the Huff Post and is very easy to make.
Ingredients
A carrier bag full of Elderflower heads -trim the flower heads and leave only have the finest of green stalks near the flowers, not the whole stems and NO leaves. Also choose fresh creamy white flowers none that have gone brown, historically they were picked before the first dew had left them in the morning!
100ml of Honey, or maple or agave syrup [ I used maple syrup diluted to be less sweet]
3 litres of cold water
Juice zest 2 lemons and another lemon sliced into 6
Clean sterilized glass bottle [ this can be cleaned with soap and water ,then hotter water and dried out in the oven ]
Paper coffee filter/ or fine muslin to strain
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Preparation
Rinse the flowers gently and briefly in cold water to remove any small insects
Put the cold water, honey /agave and lemon juice, zest and lemon into a saucepan and turn on the heat stir briefly and add the heads of the elderflowers, make sure they are fully submerged
Bring to boil and then turn down the heat to simmer for 30 mins with the lid on the top of the pan
Drain with a sieve to remove the flowers and debris and return to the liquid to the pan on a medium /high heat until it has reduced to 750ml -this should take around 30/45mins
Remove from the heat and allow to cool , strain through a clean sieve lined with fine muslin or through a paper coffee filter to remove fine particles/flower debris and any small insects!
Using a small funnel pour into a the clean sterilized bottle and keep in the fridge.
It should keep well for about 3/4weeks. It will lasts that long!
It is IMPORTANT for you to check for gas build up and be careful with the management of the bottle.