Elderflower cordial

Summer in a bottle

Elderflower cordial is the taste of June, and it keeps all year. A little citric acid is the secret to making the flavour last.

You'll need

elderflower heads   20–30, on a dry day
sugar                1.5 kg
citric acid          40 g (or 2 lemons)
water                1.5 litres

Method

Dissolve sugar in simmering water, cool. Steep the heads and citric acid for 24–48 hours, strain, bottle. Dilute with cold water or sparkling all summer.