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Elderflower Cordial

Janie BJanie B Posts: 963
in Plants
I've just made some elderflower cordial from the flowers on our sambucus nigra black lace. It's very sweet! I found a recipe that said put 1kg sugar to 1 litre of water, but it sadly is too sweet to taste the elderflowers (and I put in loads!). I'm going to try again with less sugar... Anyone got any tips? 
Lincolnshire

Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited June 2019
    Add lots more lemon to the made batch, to take the edge off
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Normally it has lemon and citric acid in it. 
  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 963
    Thanks, Guys... I did add a ton of lemon juice (but no citric acid, as none needed in the recipe I followed). May add some more lemon juice and run the risk of ending up with lemon cordial...!
    Lincolnshire
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I understand you can also use sweet cicely leaves instead of sugar.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • HelixHelix Posts: 631
    edited June 2019
    I use an ancient Roger Philips recipe, which is 300g sugar to 2litres water, plus a lemon, and 2 litres by volume of flowers.  I don’t bother with citric acid, as I freeze it to store it, but sometimes add an orange as well. 

    Roger Philips also adds a splash of vinegar, which I’ve never tried.  

    Does using black lace give you pink cordial?
  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 963
    Thanks, @Lizzie27, I'll have a look at the cicely leaves...

    Your recipe sounds a much better ratio, @Helix. Is the cordial still "thick" (viscose?), or is it very "thin"?

    Yes, the cordial is a very pretty pink... (as is the next version I made with some roses...)





    Lincolnshire
  • HelixHelix Posts: 631
    No, it’s quite a thin syrup.  The first year I made it I used too much sugar and it was a bit sickly. Now I start with 300g, and then once steeped and strained if it needs more sweetness I will add a tiny bit of honey or sugar syrup. 

    Love the pink colour! 
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