Homemade Elderflower Cordial & Cucumber Gin Fizz

Have you seen big balls of white blossom on your travels recently? Elderflower is having it’s shining moment, due to our mild / wet winter and warm spring, there’s a bumper harvest to be had this year. Starting around the 20th of May and lasting 4-6 weeks, now is the time to roll up your sleeves and pick yourself some Elderflower.

By the time you’ve picked your Elderflower, this rain should have passed over, and your thirsty work will need a suitable reward. What better way to keep cool through the summer than with a refreshing glass of Elderflower from your very own homemade cordial? And when those balmy nights kick in, sit back and take a sip on an Elderflower, Cucumber and Gin Fizz:

Elderflower Cordial

Ingredients
Makes approx. 1.5 litres

20 elderflower heads, leaves and stalks trimmed
3 lemons
1.75kg white sugar
75g citric acid
1.5 litres filtered water

You will need: a sterilised bottle, a sieve, a muslin cloth/clean tea towel, a funnel

Elderflower, Cucumber and Gin Fizz

Ingredients
Makes one short cocktail (double for 2)

1.5 shots of your favourite gin
1.5 shots of elderflower cordial
1 inch piece of cucumber cut into slices, plus 1 strip to garnish (use a potato peeler)
A few ice cubes and some crushed ice
Sprig of rosemary, plus a sprig to garnish
Sparkling water

In a thick glass, jug glass or cocktail shaker, place the cucumber and a few leaves of rosemary. Using a muddler or the end of a rolling pin, smash the cucumber and rosemary a good few times to release the flavours. Add the ice cubes, followed by the gin, cordial and sparkling water and stir.
Line the glass with the cucumber strip and fill with crushed ice. Pour the cocktail through a sieve or strainer over the ice, garnish with the sprig of rosemary and serve straight away.

Method

Place the elderflower heads in a large bowl of cold water. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, to get rid of any dirt or creepy crawlies – remove from the water and gently shake. Pour the sugar and water into a large saucepan and bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Whilst the syrup is boiling, pare the peel from the lemons and slice. Remove the pan from the heat and add the citric acid, lemon slices and peel and elderflower heads to the syrup. Stir to incorporate. Place a lid on the pan and leave to steep for 24 hours.

Strain the elderflower cordial through a sieve and muslin cloth. Pour into the sterilized bottle (ideally through a funnel) and secure the lid. The cordial will keep for up to 6 weeks.