It's mid-May, so time to make Elderflower Champagne.
I'm sorry that Boo Boo isn't here to help me, I'd been looking forward to us making and drinking his very own Champagne.
So, by myself, I gathered a few heads of Elderflower, put them into a bucket with 5.5 litres of water, added 650 gms sugar, the zest of a Lemon, the juice of a Lemon, and two tablespoons of white wine vinegar.
I stirred it to dissolve the sugar, covered the bucket, and waited 24 hrs before filtering and bottling.
What could be simpler!
I am sure it will be delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely, refreshing, summer drink.
DeleteHi Cro, that recipe will go down well in South Africa. There are no liquor sales during the Lockdown. Social media is filled with recipes for beer and wine (and ire against the stringent law). I trust you're well and safe. Jo
ReplyDeleteNot much alcohol in this (if any), but it's a very pleasant drink that costs almost nothing.
DeleteSounds refreshing. Not too much sugar.
ReplyDeleteYou'll just have to drink to BooBoos health.
I'll keep some for him.
DeleteThe scent of elderflower...late spring in England, long grass and early butterflies. Elders grew in our allotment hedge. There is a hint of that scent in the last remaining bottle of elderflower cordial in F's fridge. It is being rationed.
ReplyDeleteI made Blackcurrant Cordial last year, that was delicious. I've not made Elderflower Cordial.
DeleteDo your bottles ever explode ? XXXX
ReplyDeleteYes; often. I have to use strong bottles with the clip-on tops. In the past I used some German beer bottles that had the clip-on tops, but the glass was too thin; they exploded.
DeleteRaise a glass to me.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be a while. I usually leave it for a couple of months before sampling. I still have two bottles from 2019.
DeleteOne day cleaning a swimming pool, the next making elderflower champagne. You are a man of many parts Sir Cro.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy being busy.
DeleteCheers, sir. Think of me
ReplyDeleteup here with cloud and drizzle in 10C temperatures whilst you sip your champagne by the pool!
Lovely here. Almost swimming weather!
DeleteI haven't made it since I blew a hole in the under-stairs cupboard wall when we were first married.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was a good brew!
DeleteSounds like the ginger beer we made a kids. That had to be kept in the shed.
DeleteLovely day here. Shorts weather again. The washing dry in half an hour. I've just written an essay on Austria art. I could do with a glass of elderflower cordial.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful day here. More mowing, both here and for a friend. Water still too cool for a swim.
DeleteWhat you are making is cordial. Do you just call it champagne for fun? I am assuming so.
DeleteCordial is quite different, it has far more sugar and flowers; it's used for diluting. Champagne is a classic that is usually made for children.
DeleteI am keeping an eye out for Elderflowers...I make cordial most years and we are down to one bottle!
ReplyDeleteTry it with lines instead of lemons.. delicious
Limes!!
DeleteI might make some cordial... I must check my WI book for recipe.
DeleteI use the HMSO Bulletin 21 Home Preservation of Fruit and Vegetables.
DeleteFirst published 1929, mine is the third impression 1977, of the third edition, 1971. I wonder what edition they are up to now?!
Mine is the WI's 'Wines, Syrups, and Cordials' dated 1959. Cost 3/6d.
DeleteCould I do it in screw top used plastic lemonade bottles? Or screw top wine bottles? I don't have any proper clip top bottles, or anything else for that matter, but I fancy giving it a go. How many heads of elderflower does it need?
ReplyDeleteAs long as the tops fit very tightly they should be OK.... you can but try and see! I used six heads of Elderflower; you should pick them after they've had the sun on them for a while (I have no idea why). Store your bottles in a shed; away from harm.
DeleteEnjoy! How long do you have to wait before drinking it? My Retired Man’s family used to make and drink dandelion wine, but I never got the opportunity to try it.
ReplyDeleteI usually open the first bottles in July/August when we have the children here. I make it mostly for them; but everyone loves it.
DeleteIt sounds so awful and raw. Maybe your 2019 bottling will be ok.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very refreshing, and perfumed, summer drink. I might open a bottle of the '19 tonight.
DeleteI can get an elderflower sparkling water here and it is lovely - so refreshing. I much prefer it in the summer to "pop" which I've always found too sweet for cleansing aa thirst.
ReplyDeleteThat's really what Elderflower Champagne is... a sparkling Elderflower flavoured drink. Maybe your laws don't allow it to be called 'Champagne'.
DeleteI tried making elderflower cordial once. I like elderflower cordial (when fizzy) a lot. It went off.
ReplyDeleteOh dear. I know when I made Blackcurrant Cordial last year it said to consume within a certain number of weeks (which we did). Maybe it's the same with Elderflower.
DeleteWe intend to make elderberry wine this year. Whether we actually get around to making it is another thing.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried, but I believe it's very good.
Delete