Elderflower and Rhubarb coridal

Sometimes it is worthwhile to look up from the garden and take aim on the hedgerow! I have not missed the elderflower harvest for some years now! Usually I will make a plain cordial but this year we had so much rhubarb I wanted to test something new!

RECIPE
30-40 Elderflowers (Depend on the size)
A bunch of Rhubarb (Depend on size and how much rhubarb taste you want)
2-3 lemons (Depend on size and acidity)
1.5 kg sugar
50 g citric acid
1.5 litre of water

Link to the original recipe in Swedish: https://tradgardsblogg.wordpress.com/2014/06/22/flader-och-rabarbersaft/
Though I have changed it a bit!

This year we were very lucky, we had the possibility to harvest the elderflowers right after a light rain (more of a drizzle that real rain) which made the elderflowers already perfectly washed and almost bug-free! I generally do not rinse the elderflowers after harvest since this can remove a lot of the nectar (where all the taste is)!

STEP BY STEP

1. De-bug the elderflowers. I usually also remove the larger stems but this is optional. I do not know if this have any affect on the taste, but at least it takes up less space!
2. Slice the rhubarb and the lemon.
3. Bild up layers of elderflower, rhubarb, lemon, citric acid in a large container (I use a stainless-steel pot).
   
4. Bring the water to the boil, add the sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
5. Pour over the almost boiling sugar-water over the flowers, put on a lid and leave in room temperate for 1 to 2 days.
6. Then put the container into the refrigerator for additional 1 to 2 days.
7. Strain the cordial through a muslin-cloth and bottle up! I leave it to drop naturally for an hour or so. I don't want to push or prod when straining since you can end up with small particles in the cordial (or so I imagen).

Since you don't boil this cordial, it last somewhat shorter and to prolong it you can freeze it, either in plastic bottles (do not fill completely to allow for expansion) or in ice-cube trays! I knew I would use up a lot shortly after making it so I opted for storing it in well sterilised glass bottles in the refrigerator. It have kept well for over a month now!

To enjoy it; mix it with cold water and add ice cubes! Another superb way to enjoy it is to mix it with a dry sparkling white wine!

TIPS & LESSONS LEARNED

• When harvesting the elderflowers, pick them when newly flowering to get the best flavour
• For a plain elderflower cordial; just remove the rhubarb!
• Save the lemons after straining and make a jam/marmalade with some new citrus fruit and some of the cordial
• Next time I will use less citric acid, the rhubarb add quite a lot of extra acidity