Tuesday 4 June 2019

It must be Summer.



When the weather starts to heat-up, the BBQ comes out, shorts come out, and we begin to think of cool refreshing drinks.

So, time to make the annual supply of Elderflower Champagne. Here (yet again) are the ingredients....

About 6 heads of dry, sunkissed, Elderflowers.
650 gms sugar.
Zest and juice of one Lemon.
2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar.
6 litres water.

Stir, cover, leave 24 hrs, filter through muslin into strong flip-top bottles. Wait a few weeks, then drink chilled. 


Open bottles outdoors; they can be fiery.


19 comments:

  1. Could do with some of your warmth today - only got to 15 degrees.

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    Replies
    1. We've been swimming for the past two days; maybe even again today. It won't last.

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  2. That seems like a very short time to mature. What does it taste like?

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    Replies
    1. Slightly lemonade-ish, but with a very pleasant flowery flavour. Very refreshing. I imagine it also contains a very small amount of alcohol; hence the fizz.

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  3. Lidl have Elderflower cider in store. I bet your Champagne is really refreshing on a hot day. I like Sangria or a cold beer.

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    Replies
    1. I presume that's Cider flavoured with Elderflowers. I've not heard of that before. A well made Sangria, served on the beach, is just about perfect too.

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  4. Not that I have access to elderflowers, but how strong is this?

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    Replies
    1. It's basically a children's drink, so I imagine there is very little alcohol involved. I've never found any of my grandsons under the table.

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  5. Not here. Not today. Still Baltic. Still got central heating on.

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    Replies
    1. I don't suppose you have Elderflowers either?

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  6. That sounds interesting and if it resembles lemonade, I am sure that I would enjoy it also.

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    Replies
    1. It's much nicer than Lemonade, it has quite a haunting flavour. Once tried....

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  7. Summer? What's that? Here in the Dales it is pouring with rain, the central heating is on and I am wearing two jumpers.

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    Replies
    1. We've been swimming for the past 3 days. Thunder and rain last night; I knew it wouldn't last.

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  8. For all the years I grew elderberries, I never once considered giving up one elderberry to make this.

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    Replies
    1. This is made with the flowers, not the berries. I've never made Elderberry wine (which I believe is very good).

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    2. I know; you have filled your pail with potential elderberries. Have you never had elderberry jelly. Ever? It is ambrosia.

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