For some of you cordial is associated with the word liqueur. which contains alcohol. I am referring to the non alcoholic cordial witch is also none as Squash. Cordial is simply but as a sweet flavored simple syrup as you’d call it.

I’ve only bean out of culinary school for a few years and been working in the industry for a few more years then that. It’s not till I worked in England that I had made a cordial. you must think well you when to school? Yes, they do teach you lots of things but not everything how ells are you to learns and improve my craft. bare in mind I also did my schooling in french so all my terminology is different. Yes you can buy cordial but it is so easy to make and the ones from the store that you buy are a concentrated.

A cordial can be any flavor you’d like. While I was in England we where surrounded by elderberry trees but before they turn into berries the flowers are useful they have a lovely floral note to them that is not to strong. with this cordial is you can make many different things. You can add it to a mixed drink or a desert like a jelly.

Homemade Cordial

So before you start you are going to need collect lots of elderflower’s like a lot. Lets say a tow liter container. The next task is quite time demanding. You’ll need to pick off every small flower off the cluster. Some people will put the stem in but I find it gives it a biter taste. It’s also impotent to wash the flower’s.

Ingredients

• 4 cups of water
• 4 cups of sugar
• 1 cup of honey
• 2 lemons

1. In a large pot mix water and sugar. Heat up slowly till sugar is completely dissolved.
2. In a large air tight container like a mason jar insert the sliced lemons, the elder flowers and honey. If you don’t have a big enough container you can split them into multiple ones.
3. Pore the hot syrup on top of the flowers. Seal and store in fridge for 24h.
4. The next day pass the cordial through a strainer and store in the fridge.

One thing that you can do with this cordial that will definitely impress your family or friends. This desert is a homemade jello for say. Cordials can be made in many different flavors like raspberry
https://www.mirlandraskitchen.com/-raspberry-cordial/

Elderflower jelly

Makes 10-12

• 2 pints of cordial ( 4 cups)
• 6 sheet’s of gelatin
• • If you cant get sheet’s powdered gelatin will do just read the instruction on the packaging.
• 4-6 strawberry’s
• 1/2 cup of blueberry’s

1. Heat the cordial. Don’t boil.
2. Place gelatin in cold water and let soften once soft drain and squeeze out all the water.
3. Remove from heat and whisk in gelatin till well dissolved.
4. Pore into desired molds. If making them individually or family style
5. Refrigerate till semi set then add the sliced strawberry’s and blueberry’s . don’t be afraid to push them and destroy the clear jelly. because its not fully set the imperfection will remold.
6. Once fully set about another hour. Take a larger container with hot water and place the mold in for a few seconds and tip out the jelly onto your hand so any extra liquid dos not end up on your plate.
7. Bonne appétit

Tips

If you have lovely homemade cordial you can add it to water on a hot summer day and in joy a nice cold drinks. It’s also delicious in lemonade.

Hers the link to the exact mold that I used to make this I would also make panacottas, lava cakes and twice backed souffles. https://www.amazon.com/Astra-shop-Individual-Chocolate-Raspberry/dp/B01M7RQJ3F

Heir is the link for some gelatin sheets:
https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Oetker-Select-Fine-Gelatine