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08/05/2008, 21:15 Gengulphus Joined on 30/01/2008 Saône et Loire Posts 84 Re: Elderflower Cordial  Geranium wrote: but how long can I expect it to last in a normal air-tight bottle? Indefinitely, if you use camden tablets, as below.  I make mine in quantity every second year, and '06 is still fine.  It may throw off a slight haze which rises to the top and can be poured off. ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL Ingredients 40 heads of elderflower 1 lemon thinly sliced 5.5 pts boiling water 8 lb white sugar 5 oz citric acid 2 camden tablets Method 1.    Place flowers in vessel with lid.  Add lemon, sugar, boiling water and stir until dissolved.  2.    Cover and leave for 5/6 days, stirring occasionally.  3.    Crush and dissolve two camden tablets in a little hot water and add to the vessel and stir well.  Strain through muslin.  4.    Dissolve citric acid in a little boiling water and add to the strained juice.  Bottle in sterilized bottles.  Serve diluted to taste. It's good, provided it lasts… Letizia Bonaparte    Report

14/05/2008, 12:04 just john Joined on 28/04/2005 Montignac le coq Posts 383 Re: Elderflower Cordial Citric acid is not essential but prolongs life, not much point if family are going to drink it all one afternoon and you make leftovers into sorbet! Nannys favourite: 30 elderflower heads 6 pints (3L) boiling water 2lb (1K) caster sugar citric acid (not essential but helps it keep longer) 2 oranges 3 lemons Better to gently immerse elderflowers in clean water so as to remove creatures but not to remove too much pollen with water jets etc, drain. Pour boiling boiling water over the sugar in large bowl Stir well and leave to cool, Add oranges and lemons sliced, then elderflowers, citric acid to keep, Leave for 24 hours with occasional stir (some of you should be good at that) Strain through muslin and pour into sterilised bottles Can be frozen diluted in ice-cubes for drinks (any clear spirit will do!) or lollies to suck, icecream machines and makes a refreshing sorbet, If you are into japanese tempura you can also deepfry elderflower dunked in a light beer batter on its own, or serve as a sophisticated pud, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, cointreau, and plop of vanilla ice cream, mmm  Best not pick elderflowers by a road, Avoid plant creatures before picking and only pick the best blossoms (not withered), stalks make it easy to pick and handle. Carry home carefully in a bag to retain pollen   the real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, and blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday    Report

07/06/2008, 12:38 Phil & Pat Joined on 24/12/2006 Falaise, Calvados (14) Posts 188 Re: Elderflower Cordial Has anyone managed to buy citric acid in France, either over the counter or online?  Our local pharmacies don't supply it for winemaking or any other purpose.    Report

07/06/2008, 12:57 Gengulphus Joined on 30/01/2008 Saône et Loire Posts 84 Re: Elderflower Cordial Re citric acid.  Simply order it at the pharmacy.  Last week my village pharmacy obtained some saltpetre for me within 24 hours.  Remembering the query raised in this thread I asked if citric acid could be got with equal ease, and they confirmed that this was the case.  It's good, provided it lasts… Letizia Bonaparte    Report

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France Forum » French Culture » French Food and... » Re: Elderflower Cordial

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