Charlottechicken Posted July 24, 2010 Share Posted July 24, 2010 As the time to make this is fast approaching, and even though I have posted this recipe on other threads, I thought I would put this recipe on a thread of it's own, to make it easier to find. Hope you didn't use all your supplies up when picking the flowers in June This is the recipe I use and it came from Country Kitchen magazine, September 2006 issue. 2 litres of destalked elderberries1 kg sugar 1 tsp cloves Method Put the elderberries in a large pan, add water so that the fruit is just covered and stew for 15 mins on a medium heat. Strain off the fruit and add sugar and cloves and boil for a further 15 mins. Allow to cool and pour into sterile bottles and seal. If using plastic bottles the cordial can be frozen and used later in the year. I freeze mine in 500ml bottles (don't fill to the top, to allow for expansion of contents in the freezer ). I still have a bottle from last year in the freezer, but I tend to drink it throughout the winter to keep colds and flu at bay . Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 I love the stuff, and swear by it in the winter. I put a cinnamon stick and star anise in mine too. Can I ask why you freeze your? I just put mine into steralised bottles and it seems to last fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted July 27, 2010 Author Share Posted July 27, 2010 I got too nervous about it going off Where do you keep yours, and how long does it last there? I'd be looking at keeping it for up to a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I use smallish bottles, mainly recycled salad dressing type bottles. Run them through the dishwasher, then fill with boiling water. The cordial filled bottles then just get stashed in a cupboard, so in the dark. I made some last October I think it was and finished the last of it in May, so can't vouch for more than 8 months. The only bottle I had a problem with was the first one which we got stuck into straight away, about half way through it it must have started fermenting or something as when I took the lid off it went with a pop and a smokey, gassy type cloud came off the cordial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
