Elderberry cordial recipe?

[glut]

I am new to this whole thing but do fancy having a go at making some cordial. There are lots of black elderberrys (at least I think thats what they are!) along the hedgerows but I don't really know where to start. Any suggestions?

...and is it the same for any fruit...blackcurrent for example?

[afrench108]

hi,great question as i live next to a river and the hedgerows are full of them.. I have seen a cordial made with the flowers in the spring and also an ice cream with the flowers(mainly on the river cottage series over last few years), i cant ever recall it being done with the fruits, i am not sure if you can actually eat them?? worth checking out properly..

[afrench108]

hi, here's a link to page you need to read before picking, there are safety aspects to them, daft as it sounds, hope this helps..
Veg Box Recipes • also look on this site foe more hedgerow recipes search this site
www.overthegardengate.net

[Hilary B]

Elderberries are pretty distinctive. I just make wine from them, but I have heard of including them in blackberry jelly.

I think there may be health risks to overly strong concentrations.

[vicky]

I have heard they are poisonous raw, is this right?

[Hilary B]

I wouldn't have thought so vicky, or the wine would be dangerous, but they might be a bad idea in excess, because they have a pretty high tannin content (judging by the taste of elderberry wine).

[glut]

Thanks for that...(the vegbox link is great!) I will definately have a go, but perhaps mix with blackcurrent to lesson the impact : )

[Polly Fouracre]

Elderberry Syrup (All Good Things Around Us, Pamela Michael)

2 pints measure elderberries,
4-5 tblspns. water,
Sugar (see recipe)

Wash berries and drain in a colander.Strip from stalks,measure and put in a pan with the water. Cover and simmer slowly over a very low heat. Crush berries with a wooden spoon to extract all the juice, then strain through a sieve,pressing with the back of a wooden spoon to press all of the juice out.
Measure juice into a pan and for every pint of juice add 1lb. of sugar.Bring slowly to the boil, stirring continuously until the sugar has dissolved,then continue to boil steadily in the uncovered pan for 5-10 minutes until liquid is thick and syrupy.
Remove from heat and skim. Allow to cool then pour into sterilised bottles and screw on lids tightly. (sauce and ketchup bottles are ideal for this!)
A remedy for coughs and colds-2tblespns. to a mug of boiling water. Also good with vanilla ice-cream and rice pudding.
I also have recipes for Elderberry soup,Elderberry and blackberry jelly,E.B. and apple jelly,E.B. sorbet,E.B. chutney,E.B sauce (the keeping kind) and how to make an Elder pith fishing float if anyone is interested!!
We have elders in our field and I was surprised to see this morning that though most of the trees are heavy with berries one had flowers just opening!

[Mikey]

I just posted this recipe on another question, you'll know they are elderberries by the way they hang, see picture attached.

Recipe

Elderberry Cordial
Elderberries (still on stalks)
Sugar
Cloves

Pick the fruit on a dry day and stew with the stalks in a large stainless steel saucepan, with just enough water to cover.

Strain through muslin squeezing to get all the juice.

To each pint of juice add 1 lb of white granulated sugar and 10 cloves.

Boil for 10 minutes.

Allow to cool and bottle in sterile bottles with good quality plastic screw-on tops making sure you distribute the cloves evenly amongst the bottles (they act as a preservative).

The cordial can be used immediately, and will keep well for a year or two.

Taken with hot water it is renowned as a guard against colds, and a glass a day through winter is a wise precaution..