When life gives you Elderflower, make Elderflower Cordial! This is wonderfully refreshing, and so easy to make. There’s only four ingredients, plus water. The hedgerows are full of blossom at the moment. So you’ve no excuse. #coronacooking 
Cut the stalks & leaves away from the flowers as much as possible, keeping heads intact. Pick over blossom to remove any insects. Don’t wash them as you will wash away all the pollen & lose most of their flavour. You’ll be putting them into boiling syrup, so they will be fine.
Put the sugar in a large saucepan. Use a potato peeler to thinly peel the oranges & lemons, making sure to avoid taking too much of the white pith, it’s the zest you want here. Add the juice of the fruit, 2 litres of water & bring to the boil, stirring & melting the sugar.
When the sugar is totally melted & the syrup is at boiling point, take it off the heat. Put all the flower heads into the syrup, submerging them totally. Cover with a lid and leave to soak overnight.
#coronacooking
#coronacooking
The next day, line a colander with muslin or clean kitchen cloth. Strain the cordial, discard the flowers & fruit zest. Sterilise some bottles by washing them in hot soapy water,rinsing thoroughly, before putting them in an oven at 160c for 10mins. Sterilise lids in boiling water
Decant the cordial into bottles when they have cooled. Serve with sparking water, in gin & tonic or use for cocktails. This tastes so much better & costs a lot less than store bought cordial. I made almost 3litres for €2, it costs €3.50 for 1/2litre in the shops
#coronacooking
#coronacooking
Heading into the final week of my #coronacooking recipes. Stop time to show your appreciation by making a donation to @AmnestyIreland One lucky donor may win a meal cooked in their own home by me for their family or friends. Please donate if you can.
justgiving.com/Colm-O-Gorman5…
justgiving.com/Colm-O-Gorman5…
