Recipe for Elderflower Cordial, very easy!

Elderflower time!  It's early and the hedgerows are blossoming with large white flower heads. It's so easy to think I must make some elderflower cordial and then the time slips by and the flowering is over.  So here's a reminder and a recipe.
So grab a basket and a grandchild and go and gather some flower heads.
Easy to make and keeps well in the fridge, also freezes too.  I'm drinking the last bottle found at the bottom of the freezer from last year, still taste good.

ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL

A gorgeously refreshing summertime drink. I like mine diluted in a long glass topped up with chilled white wine or champagne and lots of ice!  To be enjoyed on the patio while watching the golden glow of the evening sun settle over our little town of Bridport.  Cheers!

20                    large elderflower heads
2½pt/50fl.oz    boiling water
2                      whole lemons, sliced
2½oz/70g         citric acid (you can get from your local Chemist)
4lbs/1.8kg        granulated sugar

Put all ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and leave for 5 days, stirring twice a day.
Strain off and bottle.   Makes about 5 bottles.

ELDERFLOWER CHAMPAGNE  

Similar to elderflower presse and another delicious summer drink. Not made this recipe yet but will give it try.

8 litres (2 gallons) water
1.25 kg (2.5 lbs/5 cups) sugar
8 large elderflower heads
4 Lemons
4 tablespoons mild white wine vinegar

Boil the water and pour on the sugar to dissolve it.

Cool and add the elderflowers, juice of the two lemons, slices of the other two and the vinegar.
Cover with a cloth and leave for a day.
Strain with a fine sieve or muslin cloth, squeezing the flowers as you do to release more flavour.

Store in screw top bottles.

It will be ready in about 10 days to a fortnight and should be drunk within a month