Things for nearly .....FREE

The sun is shining in a bright blue sky, well ok it has been today where i live, and the elderflowers are just coming into bloom.

Not last year but the year before 24robbers came knocking at my door.....oops sorry. I meant Tesco, the electricity board, local fuel station and my central heating supplier!.....oops I meant yesterday!

Love that book!

Elderflowers are blooming and blooming great they are if you like elderflower cordial or champagne!

So for anyone who lives near a supply of plastic screw top bottles, elder bushes, and Tesco (just to buy the sugar and lemons)...oh yeah and you will need some citric acid you could be making your own elderflower cordial/squash.

Citric acid is becoming a little difficult to get, apparently it's because it's used in the making of crack cocaine.

We are onto a winner then with the youngies already!

My grandfathers recipe for elderflower cordial:

Pick 20 heads of elderflower.....Please ask the tree for permission before you take.....or it will turn out like cats pee.

N.B. Only take the flower heads that are fully open and pick in FULL sun.


Yes, I know they smell like cats pee!

2 lemons, unwaxed.

2 tsp citric acid

3.5 llbs sugar

2.5 pints of boiling water


Something to strain it, such as a muslin cloth or a tea towell. ( babies puwk clothes are perfect)

If you want it to give you that little extra, use 4 lemons....useful for sore throats, colds and arthritus i'm told.

Personally i just like it.

Pare the rind of two lemons ( cut it off in long strips) and juice the other 2. No reason why you couldn't use the same 2 lemons. Or make it extra lemony do both, paring and juicing of 4.

Sorry if i'm confusing you!

Heat the sugar and water until it boils, then add the juice and rind of the lemons, also the flower heads and the citric acid.

Leave to cool, covered for 24 hours .

Sterilise bottles with boiling water, strain liquid and fill bottles, leaving a gap for expansion, especially if you want to freeze the cordial.

Serve, diluted, yes , Mr. H, with cold water and ice, add a sprig of mint.

Yes Mr. H I'm sure it's better with cold white wine!

I think it's yummy, so do the kids and even "he who should never" is persuaded to leave the corkscrew alone!

This is a tree i'm told that can ward off witches and if you wear a sprig of elder in yor hat at Beltaine then it said that you may be able to commune with fairies!

Not that I'm an unbeliever, but i wonder is this anything to do with crack cocaine use?

Honestly elderflower cordial is delicious and safe!



If you have a chance and you are pleased with your cordial take a drop back to the elder tree to say thankyou.