What You’ll need:
Elderflower heads with pollen dusting on them (a pan full)
Water to cover
Fresh mint leaves (handful)
Juice and zest of 3 lemons
Sugar (use your preferred kind)
1.Pick a load of elderflower heads, just as the flowers are opening still full of pollen. Place in a pan with the lemon zest and cover with water
2.Bring to the boil and turn off the heat, add a handful of fresh mint, cover and leave overnight or 8-12 hours
3.Strain the tea and the lemon juice through a muslin and measure the volume
4.Add 1lb of sugar to a pint of liquid and place back into the pan
5.Bring to the boil and simmer very gently stirring continuously until all of the sugar is dissolved and for a few minutes afterwards.
6.Bottle in sterilised bottles and label
Serving suggestions: You can use this cordial as a daily drink (diluted with fizzy water as a special delicious treat) or as a syrup for yogurt and deserts.
Alternative to sugar: You can replace the sugar with honey or apple concentrate but you need to have half the amount again so 1 ½ honey or apple to pt liquid.
