Elderflower Cordial

Janie B

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? 

Fire

Add lots more lemon to the made batch, to take the edge off

Bijdezee

Normally it has lemon and citric acid in it. 

Janie B

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...!

Lizzie27

I understand you can also use sweet cicely leaves instead of sugar.

Helix

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 B

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...)

Helix

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!