Lime And Elder Flower Cordial Recipes

LIME AND ELDER FLOWER CORDIAL

Steps:

• Collect only fresh flower heads and make sure the tiny buds have just opened and use them the same day. This is important because the lovely fragrance will turn into bitterness if you wait too long. Do not wash the flower heads because you will lose too much flavour.
• Make sure to look through them carefully and remove any insects. While doing so make sure to remove unopened buds and any flowers that are not perfectly fresh. They will otherwise spoil the taste. When you are done with this, the most labour intensive task is done.
• Zest the lime and slice them. Don't discard anything; all will be needed.If you do not have a zester, then peel them carefully with a vegetable peeler.
• Place the flowers with the citric acid and zested lime slices with their peel in a large pot with lid.
• In a second pot, bring the water and sugar to a boil and remove from the hot stove top. Pour the sugary, hot water over the flower mix and give it a stir. Cover with a tight fitting lid or plate and leave to steep overnight.
• The next day, strain the cordial through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Discard the flower and lime mix. Fill the cordial into sterilised bottles or jars and store in a dark and cool place.

ELDERFLOWER & LEMON CORDIAL

Steps:

• Dissolve sugar in water over a gentle heat, then bring to a simmer. Pour over the elderflower heads with the zest from the lemons - use a potato peeler to get nice wide strips. Slice the rest of the lemons and add to the syrup with citric acid. Stir well, cover and leave for 24 hours in a cool place to infuse. Strain through muslin and pour into sterilised bottles. Once open, refrigerate.

RAW LIME CORDIAL

Steps:

• Wash limes in a sinkful of warm water, scrubbing with your hands or a vegetable brush, and let them dry them on a dish towel. Peel them with a vegetable peeler, removing as little of the underlying white pith as possible. To begin each, it's helpful to cut the polar ends off, where the stem attaches and opposite. This should produce about 140 grams of peels.
• Cut limes in half and juice them. This should produce about 2 1/2 cups of juice.
• In a non-reactive, coverable container, add sugar to juice and stir until fully dissolved, 3 to 5 minutes. Crush peels up in handfuls to release the oils as you add them into the juice mix. Stir a bit to initiate extraction of the oils. (If you're making a ginger version, wash the ginger, then shred it in a blender or food processor (no need to peel it), employing some of the lime juice to allow it to liquefy, and add it into the lime mixture, stirring well.) Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours. When ready, strain the cordial off from the peels in a fine mesh strainer or chinoise. Funnel cordial into covered container or cappable bottle and return to refrigerator for another day, to cure, before using. Makes roughly 1 liter.