Lemon and Elderflower Cordial

Ingredients:

• 1kg granulated sugar

• 2.5l water

• 18-23 elderflower heads

• 2 lemons (sliced)

• 50g citric acid (available from health food stores)

Method

1. Check over your elderflower heads and make sure there are no insects on them. Do not wash them as the pollen is where all that lovely flavour is.

2. In a big pan, add in your elderflower heads, lemon slices and your citric acid. Bring this to the boil and stir occasionally. Take this off the heat after about 5 minutes and leave to cool then pop a cover on and let this infuse overnight.

3. Strain the liquid through a muslin cloth or a sieve to trap all of the flower/bits from the flower.

4. Pop the liquid back into the pan and then add your sugar little by little and boil to dissolve the sugar.

5. Taste and test. If it’s still too bitter for you you can add more sugar but I find 1kg sugar to be enough that it’s sweet but not too sweet.

6. Once your sugar is melted and you’re happy with the taste, pour your cordial into glass bottles or jars and enjoy in whichever way you like. For me, I love adding it to cloudy lemonade.