Cordials

[andrewo]

Has anyone got recipes for non-alcoholic cordials, along the lines of herb cordials or rhubarb? Or can anyone suggest a book?

[smallblueplanet]

Ginger Cordial

Makes about 18fl oz/500ml

2oz/60g fresh ginger, peeled & thinly sliced
18fl oz/500ml water
Juice of a lemon
10 oz/280g granulated sugar

Put all the ingredients in a saucepan over a low heat. Let the sugar dissolve, then bring to the boil. Take off heat and let the ginger infuse for several hours or overnight for stronger cordial. Strain, bottle and refrigerate.

Makes an excellent flavouring for ice-creams and custards. Do not throw the ginger away. but chop it and mix into ice-cream.

Dilute the ginger syrup with chilled water for refreshing home-made ginger ale.

(Recipe from a newspaper - don't know which one, sorry.)

[Lesley Jay]

Andrewo there are a few at www.uktvfood.co.uk including a rhubarb one!

[nick the grief]

I bet there are some in Mrs Beetons. Cordials are the sort of thing that the Victorians would do.

Elderflower is nice & doesn't smell of wee like elder at all

[Shortie]

Andrewo, I take it you got too much rhubarb even for schnapps and crumble?

What a fantastic link LJ, I wonder how long the cordial would keep for, certainly a better option for my little boy that shop bought salty, etc stuff!

[andrewo]

No, just want an alternative to alcohol for kids and non-drinking adults to get them into the idea that making your own can be cheaper. I too would be interested to see how long they keep.

[Brewer-again]

just a drink

I like where you are going with this, it would be great if kids could accept drinks other than Coke. I must admit that I am at my best brewing so I would like some more information. Not sure about Ginger for young kids, only because it has a strong taste, but prove me wrong.

[yoanbob]

kids love strong flavors, root beer and vinegar being just two, if they are open minded they should enjoy ginger cordial.

[maggieaggie]

speaking of root beer... anyone got a recipe for that!? or sarsparilla? Ive been trawling the net for hours and hours and cant get anywhere... perhaps someone here can shed some light?!

[Snadger]

speaking of root beer... anyone got a recipe for that!? or sarsparilla? Ive been trawling the net for hours and hours and cant get anywhere... perhaps someone here can shed some light?!

Is root beer not the one that stinks of Germolene?

[shirlthegirl43]

Is root beer not the one that stinks of Germolene?

I had said to the boys when we lived in Georgie that it smelled like Listerene but you are quite right Snadger it is more like Germoline. Wish we could get root beer here - we all loved it.

[roitelet]

I've made Lemon and ginger cordial, about 75cl at a time and it keeps in the fridge well but for how long I wouldn't like to say as it never stays there long enough !!!!!

Elderberry cordial I made in late August/early September and kept it in the cupboard and it is still fine. I still have some frozen juice in the freezer so will make some more as the first lot has nearly gone. It's supposed to be a good Flu treatment.

[angie loves veg]

I followed the old ministry of defence recipe for rosehip cordial this year. FANTASTIC. Some in the freezer, but the half-open bottle in the cupd is still fine.

Our other favourite is elderflower cordial (I used Sophie Grigsons recipe) - added to a G&T it is really something very special (or just the T is pretty good too - perfect for a drink in the garden in the summer......... )

This link has a range of 'hedgerow recipes' that are interesting, but includes the Rosehip cordial one I used......http://www.overthegardengate.net/gar...reci_hedge.asp

[roitelet]

Thanks for the link Angie, lots of free goodies out her which will be put to good use