• Ingredients: 25 elderflower heads, 3 unwaxed lemons, 1.5 litres boiling water, 1 teaspoon citric acid, 1Kg caster sugar.

• Method: Pick 25 of the freshest prettiest elder flowers (part of the mystique is that they should be picked in the morning – after the dew has dried !)  Put them into a large mixing bowl / add the zest of 3 unwaxed lemons. Boil 1.5 litres of  water & pour into the bowl, over the flowers / zest.  Cover and leave overnight.

In the morning, strain the mixture through a jelly bag ( a pair of old tights will do ) into a large saucepan. Add the sugar, the citric acid and the juice of the lemons and bring slowly to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil for 2 minutes and, once manageable, pour into sterilised bottles.  ( Bottles can be sterilised in 140°C oven) 
This recipe makes about 2 litres.  I use clean recycled 250 or 500ml bottles with screw tops for the cordial ( the little ones make nice presents). The citric acid is a preservative but it probably tastes just as good without it (?) It might not keep as long – but it won’t last long anyway – it’s too delicious! None of the quantities are very critical !  – ( I only used 750g of sugar )

Dilute to taste with fizzy water or sparkling wine.  Do try it !