It's mid-May, and that means time to make Champagne. Not any old Champagne; Elderflower Champagne!
One of the pleasures of Summer is to open a chilled lunchtime bottle of Elderflower Champagne. We don't drink alcohol at lunch, so this makes a great alternative to our usual glass of cold water (yes, we really do drink water).
Occasionally the alchemy doesn't work and there's no fizz, but this is rare. So, if you're making some, just make sure that everything is spotlessly clean, and that you have these 'flip-top' type bottles. You should be OK. However, when the alchemy DOES work, be careful, and open your bottles outdoors. They can be VERY fiery.
Et voila; 24 hours later, and I have 7 bottles which must be left for at least 2 weeks before sampling. I'll do the same amount again tomorrow.
N.B. For my own personal recipe, just type 'Elderflower Champagne' into the white search strip (top left), and you'll find all sorts of stuff.
27 comments:
While I was doing this yesterday, everyone around me was HAYMAKING.
No elderflowers here that I know of. I always thought elderflower wine or champagne was alcoholic.
I think it must have a TINY amount, otherwise there would be no fermentation. But it is a children's drink too.
After just two weeks it'll be an infusion with very little time for alcohol to have formed. Now my cider there's a different animal altogether........
Goodness, that is simple enough even for me to understand!
The elder isn't in flower here yet - I usually make a cordial rather than champagne - a lovely summer drink.
Love the flavour of elderflower. I've had it as a cordial but your version of a champagne style drink sounds delightful. Another reason to spend a longer stretch of time in France, so I can have a go at making and drinking this!
It is so simple (and so good) that I'm amazed everyone doesn't make it.
Maybe I'll make some cordial too this year. I've never tried.
That sounds wonderful Cro. I would love a taste of it!
Flowers aren't out here yet. it normally flowers when the gooseberries are ready for picking. Hence the tradition amongst some ( i.e. me) to add a couple of heads to the jam or gooseberry fool. I have only made champagne once and it was good. Must have another go. Summer is incumen in hurrah !
Gooseberries and Elderflower is classic!
It's cool, refreshing, and lightly perfumed with Elderflower; what could be better.
Nice to see the home made elderflower Champagne.Enjoy the day with it!
Look's as if Monty's had a few glasses of something stronger !!!! XXXX
That's one of his favourite spots; anywhere where you have to step over him. He'd been watching my neighbour, Jean-Claude, haymaking.
I used to make elderflower wine. It was quite potent stuff. This sounds a trifle tame ..
It's fizzy pop.
Fizzy pop is the best - we'll have to try that.
The most difficult part of this for me would be waiting to drink this champagne. It 's sounds fabulous. BTW, I drink water at lunch too.
Sam
After 2 weeks it can be just 'fizzy'; if you wait till summer it's really 'fizzy'. Explosions are common!
I've just started a second lot.
I think you have before but could you give us the recipe?
6 litres water, 6 heads of Elderflower, zest and juice of 1 Lemon, 2 tablespoons of colourless vinegar, and 650 gms of sugar. Mix well and leave for 24 hrs, then bottle and wait a minimum of 2 weeks.
Wow, I am dutifully impressed. Your own champagne! We've made beer, wine, and even a legal type of homemade moonshine, but never champagne. Wow. Good for you! (Talk about perking up a lunch!)
I love elderflower anything. We never get to the flowers quick enough. the people around here are really fast to get there and they are all snipped off. quick smart.
It sounds like a lovely summer drink, Cro. I've never tasted anything with elderflower...for some reason I imagine it tasting like chamomile?
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