Elderberries (Sambucus nigra) are packed with vitamins and boost the immune system to help fight colds and flu. We make Elderberry cordial syrup using this recipe, usually freezing the berries until we have time to make it, and making a bottle at a time to keep in the fridge.
Ingredients:
A bowl or approx. 500g Elderberries, 650ml water, 300g sugar or honey.
(Cordial normal uses 1lb sugar per pint of juice, but we find this ratio far too sweet, so add sugar, honey or other alternatives to suit your taste).
Remove the individual Elderberries from the stalks using a fork, place into a saucepan, cover with the water and bring to the bowl.
Simmer for 20 mins, then press the berries using a potato masher to extract more juice.
Strain through a jelly bag or fine sieve.
Put the strained juice back into the pan, gently heat for 10 mins, adding your honey/sugar to taste. Bring to the boil, and keep stirring until it thickens. If you’d like it thicker or sweeter, add more sugar.
Once cooled a little, pour into sterilised bottles, and store in the fridge where it will keep for up to 3 months.
This recipe can also be used to make other hedgerow cordials such as Elderflower, Stinging Nettle, Blackberry etc.
WILD FOOD & FORAGE DAYS
If you'd like to discover more of nature's harvest, why not join one of our wild food and forage day workshops which run in Spring and Autumn.
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