Elderflowers In The Hedgerow
Campions and wild carrots are in full bloom in the long grass, daisies stride across our lawn and the wild cherries burst in brilliant red from the trees. Dog roses bob gently in the breeze, curling in and out of the honeysuckle. The gentle fragrance of elderflowers wafts up the lane as the warmth of the sun releases the scent of summer. This is what you bottle when you make elderflower cordial.
Elderflowers and Lemons Ready In A Bowl
A fragrance of times gone by and as British as strawberries and cream tea. Not as quick to rustle up, but not difficult either. A little patience and an overnight steep, fills the bottles with sun and summer.
Elderflowers grow wild along most country lanes, gather in a bowl or roomy carrier bag, on the day you’re going to use them, they don’t keep well. Give each blossom a little shake to de bug and then pop in your bag or bowl.
RECIPE
Bottled Elderflower and Pomegranate cordial
Elderflower and pomegranate Cordial
Makes about 2 litres
- 1.5 kilos (7 and 1/2 cups) sugar
- 1.5 litres (6 cups and 4 tablespoons) of water
- 30 elderflower heads, various sizes
- 3 lemons, unwaxed
- Seeds from 4 pomegranates
- 50g (3 and 1/2 tablespoons) citric acid
- Sterilised bottles for storage
Method
- Put the sugar and water in a large pan and bring to the boil, simmer until the sugar has dissolved and the liquid is clear
- Meanwhile, place the elderflowers in a large bowl or jug
- Thinly peel the lemons, keeping the rind and thinly slicing the lemon flesh, place in the bowl or jug with the elderflowers
- Add the pomegranate seeds and sprinkle on the citric acid
- Pour over the boiled sugar water, cover with a cloth and put in a cool dark place to steep overnight
- The following day, line a nylon sieve (metal may taint the flavour) with a muslin cloth or clean tea towel and sieve the mixture into a jug
- Discard the all the bits, pour the sieved cordial into sterilised bottles and place in the fridge. They will keep for about 1 month.
- Dilute to taste with water, sparkling water or sparkling wine
Elderflower and pomegranate cordial
If you enjoyed this post why not subscribe to Glamorous Glutton free here
Oh how I love this, wish I had access to elderflowers. Your presentation is very nice GG.
Thank you. Elderflowers grow almost everywhere in europe, parks, verges, waste ground. Its amazing to think that they can produce such a wonderful flavoured cordial, but the season is very short. GG
So summery and beautiful. Excellent!
It is perfect for summer. I have a bottle of prosecco in the fridge for a perfect Friday night mix. GG
Oh Glam, you are making we want to reach through the computer to grab a sip. Looks so lovely.
Thank you Bintu. It’s well worth making, although it doesn’t last long in this house. GG
Such a poetic description! Lovely pics 🙂
Thank you so much. I love summer hedgerows. GG
Awesome recipe GG!! I have shared this with a Canberra foodie who was recently complaining about how expensive shop bought elderflower cordial is!
Oh thank you Lizzy, it is surprisingly easy to make and if you add two Camden tablets (used in wine and beer making) to make it keep longer. GG
I love elderflower so much. When I was visiting relatives in Denmark, they made elderflower cordial and just the smell of it now brings back such good memories. This is a beautiful combination. 🙂
Me too and such a perfect thing to forage. GG
Beautiful!
Have a super weekend.
🙂 Mandy xo
Thanks Mandy and to you too. GG
Beautiful! This looks better than any other Pomegranate Juice advert (or otherwise) anywhere. Love elderflower concentrate too, very aromatic.
Thank you. i love pomegranate and was going to use some molasses for this recipe, but I couldn’t find it locally so went with fruit instead. It has such a fresh flavour. GG
Stunning! I love the colour of the cordial and elderflower and pomegranate is a wonderful combination. I don’t think I’ve ever seen elderflowers before – they’re gorgeous and how lovely that they grow along little lanes and you can just help yourself xx
I just love being able to forage for things. You do need to know what you’re picking, but a lot of things are very identifiable. GG
That’s just gorgeous. I’ve never held elderflowers but it’s now a goal of mine!
They are very pretty delicate lace like flowers but not for vases. The first day they are sweet and lovely, the longer they are kept the more they get a tang of cats wee!! GG
What a super combination, it does make a pretty colour. The Elderflowers are just about at an end here, but I’ve noted this for next year.
There are still a few left here and some to come out. Isn’t it a shame the season is so short. GG
Absolutely wondrous! I have an elderflower and strawberry cordial recipe of post soon and the colours are the same as your lovely pomegranate cordial, which glows like a ruby jewel! Fab GG!
how lovely this looks! i wish we had these flowers in australia. maybe we do and i just don’t know? 🙂