I've not made cordial before; it was a last minute idea just to finish-up our Blackcurrant crop.
Of course I didn't have any small bottles, so I had to use the above.
The recipe I used came from The Guardian, who suggested one should use the nectar to mix with Champagne; well they would wouldn't they.
I believe the resulting fizzy drink is known as a 'Keir Korbyn'. Cheers!
Looks really good. (What did we do before Google that teaches us so much?).
ReplyDeleteSaint Google maybe?
DeleteRibena!
ReplyDeleteExactly! I haven't tasted it yet, but I imagine it'll be just like the real thing.
DeleteInfants bad teeth were blamed on Ribena. Don't drink it through a straw!
DeleteCro, I forgot to say how much I enjoyed your bell ringer story. Wonderful. A real dinger!
DeleteThank you Gwil. I view it now as my village initiation ceremony.
DeleteVery envious of all your berries! All we get are strawberries and then only for a couple of weeks in may.
ReplyDeleteCheers . Sounds refreshing, with the champagne
We'll try it tomorrow night when my son (Kimbo) is here.
DeleteThere were always Champagne Socialists. Love the idea of Korbyn for that mix and perhaps plain old Keir Hardy for mixing with (not so clever) white wine.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it should have been called a Keir Korbyn Royale. Much more fitting.
Deleteinteresting recipe. I'm still using the HMSO book...Bulletin 21, HMSO £1, Home Preservation of Fruit and Vegetables...first published 1929, my third impression copy was 1977. I use the recipe where the fruit is in a bowl, with a certain amount of water,over a pan of simmering water. You might find it has an even better taste....
ReplyDeleteI have exactly the same HMSO booklet. Mine has a red cover with a picture of a pressure cooker on the front, and is dated 1968. It cost 9/6d. However, I went for a very simple one pot method from The Guardian.
DeleteAnd why not? Champagne isn't just for elderly right-wingers, although trust the left-wing to mix it with a cordial. How vulgar. New Money does not buy good taste.
ReplyDeleteWe shall try it tomorrow evening, although it will be with Italian Spumante; not Champagne. I wouldn't sully a good Champagne.
DeleteI'll give you a handy tip. Most bottles of Blanquette de Limoux is just as good as champagne but a third of the price.
DeleteWe very rarely buy pukka Champagne. We can usually buy 5 bottles of ordinary fizz for the price of one made in Epernay.
DeleteLimoux is exactly the same as Champagne, but they are not allowed to use the regional name, of course.
DeleteEnjoy how you always write about using up all your garden !
ReplyDeleteWe have had Keir Royal here on Christmas but used a sparkling wine. The best we had was daughter candied whole Kumquats one year and we had the very tasty syrup over everything and even the sparkling wine !
So good !
parsnip
It's a favourite drink here, and, frankly, any good quality dry sparkling wine is good. Kumquats are highly underrated.
DeleteSuper bottle, too.
ReplyDeleteKumquats made into syrup? My daughter has a tree loaded with them. I'll get the recipe.
I might have a recipe but you make a sugar syrup and gently cook the kumquats in it. Serve them with shaved chocolate and whipped cream on the side.
DeleteSeveral citrus trees were destroyed 10 years ago in a huge freeze the kumquate was among them. So I haven't made them in years.
opps first tried this with clementines fabulous !
DeleteI believe Kumquats make very good Marmalade too!
DeletePlenty of vitamin C!
ReplyDeleteBottled sunshine.
Delete