Elderflower fizz 2023

[Nicos]

Anyone planning on making any this year?
I spotted this thread …
https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...arting-to-open

5th May!…they’re only just starting to flower this week - clearly later than previous years.

We have a few friends staying this summer so I want to make a decent batch to share.

[mothhawk]

Not champagne, but I will make some cordial again. I noticed a few flowers opening on one hedgerow elder, but no others showing yet. I must dig out the recipe.

[Nicos]

Can you share that recipe please MH? Ta x

[mothhawk]

I have two bookmarked. One is Jamie Oliver

https://www.jamieoliver.com/features...r%2024%20hours.

and the other is HF-W

https://www.rivercottage.net/recipes...flower-cordial

but since I have usually honey aplenty I made up my own, using the above as a base. So I put 2lbs honey in a pan, plus I rinse out the jars with boiling water and add that too (about 3/4 pint). Add the zest of 2-3 lemons and bring to the boil, then take off the heat and pour over the elderflowers. Add the juice of the lemons and leave overnight to infuse. Strain and bottle.

H F-W is quite right that different bushes do have different scent, and I try to find the sweetest smelling one, some don't smell sweet at all.