Chook n Boo Mum Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Does anyone have a tried & tested recipe for elderflower champagne or cordial? I'm trying to be a bit more organised this year, I've always seemed to miss the window of opportunity in previous years! Many thanks, Sha x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 here you go http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=993048&l=eaaa7422d9&id=568396756 we made it last year and it was gorgeous, can't wait to do it again this year we stored it in plastic bottles and froze it and drank it diluted with fizzy water (co-op's own brand 8p for a 2 litres!), lovely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted May 3, 2009 Author Share Posted May 3, 2009 I knew someone would come up trumps........and given your limoncello recommendation which was spot on last year, I'm not surprised you managed to be first with this plea Poet !!! I may have to rearrange the freezer to make room for some pop bottles! Sha x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Here's an old thread of Kate's with her tried and tested recipes on, there's one around with Elderberry cordial in too, I make that and it is lovely but you have to freeze it if you make loads. viewtopic.php?f=20&t=5412&hilit=+elderflower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted May 4, 2009 Author Share Posted May 4, 2009 Wonderful, thank you, I just have to wait for the flowers to burst forth now!! Oh yes and get a bucket or two to make it it, I don't think I'd get any of my buckets clean enough these days ! Sha x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I bought a clear plastic dustbin with lid from Poundstretcher the other year, for £8 (I think it is 80 litres or something, it is large). I only use it for the chooks food, but I imagine they are meant for brewing etc, so you could try them if you have a shop near. If I remember, Hugh F-W used black dustbins for his elderflower champagne Alternatively, just treat yourself to a couple of new buckets anyway, you'll need them on here!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I didn't have the bottle (pardon the pun) to try the champagne last year as the stories of exploding bottles put me off but I think we'll try it this year as I got a a load of small grolsch style bottles for freee from a local restaurant who were going to chuck them out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I didn't have the bottle (pardon the pun) to try the champagne last year as the stories of exploding bottles put me off but I think we'll try it this year as I got a a load of small grolsch style bottles for freee from a local restaurant who were going to chuck them out! Poet, I used Schloer bottles as they are really thick because Schloer is fizzy (I nabbed the empties after a leaving do at work ). Alternatively, try plastic ones, like the 1 litre mixer bottles for soda water, that type of thing. As a guide if it had fizz in it, then it should be OK. But the free grolsch style ones sound great (pics please ). You could always store them in a bucket with a towel over (in the shed) if you are worried about them going off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Here's an old thread of Kate's with her tried and tested recipes on, there's one around with Elderberry cordial in too, I make that and it is lovely but you have to freeze it if you make loads. viewtopic.php?f=20&t=5412&hilit=+elderflower do you freeze it straight away? I made some the year before last and it all went fizzy and exploded! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I made elderflower cordial last year (Kate's recipe above) and it lasted a good 6 months in the fridge. Will make extra this year and freeze it though. It tastes so good with fizzy water on a hot day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Freeze the cordials not the champagne Freezing it means you can make large batches and enjoy it until next years crop is ready Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooklady Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I had a go at the champagne last year but it was too sweet for me, is there a less sweet recipe I could try this year, I hasten to add it didn't last long my son's girlie friends all thought it was great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Anyone got a recipe for the champagne? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Anyone got a recipe for the champagne? There's my tried and tested recipe here Patricia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Thanks Kate! I'll let you know how I get on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 I froze some umbels from last year and have just started a batch of cordial. Hope it works okay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 .... But the free grolsch style ones sound great (pics please ). we've just bottled some plum schnapps in some, here http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2560608&l=f5542b18e8&id=568396756 this is one of them pre-schnapps, so you can see the size http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2299119&l=0e39502ba7&id=568396756 going to collect some more later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted May 16, 2009 Author Share Posted May 16, 2009 I froze some umbels from last year and have just started a batch of cordial. Hope it works okay uuuuummmmm.....what are umbels ? (Yes I know I could google but I'm too tired so am asking!) Sha x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 umbel - A cluster of flowers with all the stems coming from one point. Picture in your mind the spokes of an umbrella. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share Posted May 17, 2009 aaahh, that's better, thanks for that Poet! Hope the cordial works out ok, I'd have thought a bag of umbels would be much easier to find space in the freezer for then a couple of pop bottles! Sha x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 well, we've just bottled our first cordial for this year. Cheated and used frozen flowers from last year though The flowers went brown in the freezer but the cordial tastes just as nice as it would normally. It's slightly darker in colour but looks much less 'sample' coloured when it's diluted I'll post a pic of last years so you can compare the colour of the 2 batches. this years http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2604186&l=414efd1a5c&id=568396756 last years http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=993049&l=062dd77aa9&id=568396756 will be trying some champage this year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 I started my cordial yesterday with elderflowers from the lottie which I nabbed while we planted out the borlotti plants!! I've used unrefined caster sugar this year so the cordial is going to be a nice cidery golden colour. Mmmmmm! Smells fab too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 lucky you They're not out round here yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 I'm close to you Poet and I've not seen any round here yet either. I want to make elderflower cordial this year. I will have to print off the recipe and get my bits and pieces ready. I may go foraging next weekend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Probably a stoopid question, but where do you get citric acid from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
