Abbey Road Girl Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 **Elderflower Champagne Warning** I have just had a disaster! I'd forgotten to unscrew the top of the 2 litre bottle regularly which was on the top shelf of the larder while I waited for it to fizz up enough for drinking after making it. We were sat drinking coffee this morning when there was an almighty bang followed by a series of smashing sounds and dripping water. I ran into the kitchen to investigate and found that the plastic bottle had exploded, pushed the side out of the larder which in turn knocked a lovely old teapot off a shelf. This fell into and smashed a china bowl on the worktop while inside the larder, a tall glass pasta jar flew off the top shelf and smashed on the floor below! The larder is swimming in elderflower champagne and the surrounding floor and shelves are now sticky and covered in shards of glass and bits of antique tea pot . Make sure you release the tops of your elderflower champagne every now and then and make certain your bottles are strong enough!!! Kate, it's like Laurel and Hardy. As good/terrible as them moving the piano up those stairs. "Another fine mess!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted June 9, 2008 Author Share Posted June 9, 2008 It certainly was a fine mess - sticky too !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 What a shame! It sounds like one of those clever Honda car ads. Pity abut the teapot and bowl. Will it take you long to lick the shelves clean. Need any help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 That was 2 years ago now, so I hope she's finished licking the shelves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted June 9, 2008 Author Share Posted June 9, 2008 I'm hoping there won't be a repeat performance this year . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 :lol: Oops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surferdog Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 I've just made both (thanks for posting the recipes Kate). The cordial is wonderful - very addictive. Looking forward to the champagne in a few weeks as long as it doesn't blow up in the meantime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Got the vinegar, so all set for tomorrow morning. Citric Acid - nope in Boots, Superdrug and Lloyds Chemist, bah humbug! At least we can try one recipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted June 9, 2008 Author Share Posted June 9, 2008 If you want some citric acid, PM me your address and I'll send you enough to do a batch of elderflower cordial, Koojie. I bought 2 bags last time I went to the health food store so can spare some for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surferdog Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 I couldn't find citric acid either but found a tip on the internet. Use the juice of an additional two lemons instead. It's worked perfectly, only problem is I don't know what I'm going to do when it's run out. Might need to make enough to last all year.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted June 9, 2008 Author Share Posted June 9, 2008 That's a really good tip, Surferdog . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Thanks Ladies, I will have a bash with my lemons - got quite a few. The champagne can be ready for celebrating the hen's arrival! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted June 9, 2008 Author Share Posted June 9, 2008 What a great way to celebrate! Hope you enjoy it. We used a couple of bottles for my youngest's christening a few years back and it was smashing and we were all very giggly by the time we'd had a few glasses and yet it's supposed to be non-alcoholic . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Ooooh great tip about the lemons. I was going to have to make a special trip into town to get citric acid. Now I can just go to the farm shop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 One batch of elderflower champagne resting. One lemon missing from my collection due to daughter fancying some pancakes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam42 Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 I made some cordial on Sunday and it's lovely. May have to make some more. Got my citric acid from Tesco pharmacy, who was rapidly selling out as everyone was buying it to use with elderlowers. I think he thought we were all slightly mad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 the elderflowers are out all over the place here now, I never knew we had elder trees near us until today! so, am going collecting on saturday. how often should I unscrew/let some of the gas out of the champagne and do you have to keep on doing that with any unopened bottles ad infinitum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I can't answer about the champagne Poet as I only make the cordial....... but one word of caution about elderflowers......... Sniff them! - some smell likes cat's wee, and if you use those then the cordial/champagne will have a vile smell and taste Only use the ones which smell fragrant. I discarded a couple of flower heads the other day and left them in a bucket in the utility room. An hour later, we were wondering what the vile smell was and were on the point of blaming the old tom cat - and he lives outside!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surferdog Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Sniff them! - some smell likes cat's wee, and if you use those then the cordial/champagne will have a vile smell and taste Only use the ones which smell fragrant. OH thought I was mad when I went sniffing through the pile of elderflowers we'd picked on a walk but you're right some of them smell disgusting! I read that they go yellow once they are fertilised and that's what makes them smell bad. You should only use the pure white ones but they all looked the same to me. And just to reiterate the warning on exploding champagne - the top blew off one of my bottles last night when I was loosening it a half-turn. Luckily it was the bottle that wasn't completely full so contents stayed in the bottle not all over the room! OH thought a bomb had gone off and I've never seen the dog move so fast Poor Roxy - she'll need valium if she gets any more scares this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Oh! poor dog I'll stick with the cordial I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I can't answer about the champagne Poet as I only make the cordial....... but one word of caution about elderflowers......... Sniff them! - some smell likes cat's wee, and if you use those then the cordial/champagne will have a vile smell and taste Only use the ones which smell fragrant. I discarded a couple of flower heads the other day and left them in a bucket in the utility room. An hour later, we were wondering what the vile smell was and were on the point of blaming the old tom cat - and he lives outside!!! uh oh, Ian's left some in a carrier bag in the boot of the car! He brought them home to show me that he'd found some, they've been there 2 days now! I'll get him to bin them ASAP thanks for the tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 think i might stick with the cordial then, I can always add fizzy water to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surferdog Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Do try the champagne - it's wonderful! (Well I couldn't let it go to waste could I ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I'm too scared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 The cordial with fizzy water is just as nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
