Elderflower Cordial is one of my favourite drinks. I now know why I like it so much its the combination of fragrant elderflowers and almost 2 kilos of sugar! This is a great fun recipe to do with the kids. You just need a day to make it. You can mix Elderflower Cordial with sparkling water or sparkling apple /apple schorle for a refreshing summer drink of have it with Prosecco to make Hugos. A number of German friends make their own so this year I have had my first attempt and I am really pleased with it. I am lucky to live near the forest in Angermund where Elderflowers are fully in bloom currently. Check out the pictures in the gallery of me foraging with Annie the dog. I normally end up waiting for her but this time round she had to wait for me.

I did some research on the internet on the best ways to forage for elderflowers and this is what most of the experts said

– Try and find plants that are in natural locations away from roads

– Choose a dry day

– Don’t pick too early in the day or late in the day. I collected my flowers at mid morning and they were very fragrant.

– Choose flowers that have lots of open flowers or some about to come out. Avoid flowers damaged by insects or with flowers that are dying.

– Don’t pick all of the blooms from one plant, so that the plant has the chance to make elderberries for later in the year. Use your nose, if they smell good they will taste good.

Then all you need is a bit of patience and some sterilised bottles and you’ll have a tasty homemade drink that will last for up to 1 year.

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