Are you looking for a delicious and unique way to preserve the bounty of your summer garden? Raspberry cordial is an easy, versatile recipe that will turn this berry into a sweet delight! This beautiful red syrup can be used in beverages or desserts and requires only minimal preparation. Whether you’re brand-new to preserving or are an experienced preserver, this recipe has something for everyone. Learn how to make your homemade raspberry cordial today, and enjoy its fresh summery taste all winter long!
The value of homemade raspberry cordial
raspberry cordial is a delicious and versatile beverage. It’s made from beautiful raspberries, sugar and water, sometimes combined with spices and aromatics for an added depth of flavour.
Making homemade cordial offers an excellent opportunity for creativity in the kitchen – you can customize it to your tastes and experiment with different ingredients. It is also a great way to use up a bountiful raspberry supply when fresh or when frozen fruit available at the supermarket. Go on, give it a try – you will soon have so many young and older fans you will start making a range of different cordials – great!!
The mindful relaxed practice of making this bright red cordial
Start with plucking the ripest raspberries from the bush or selecting the best raspberries you can buy. Then comes the process of carefully boiling raspberries with a hint of citrus, sugar, and other carefully selected secret ingredients that contribute to the distinct flavour of your raspberry cordial.
It is this combination of unique ingredients that gives raspberry cordial its flavour and distinctive tang. The final product should be a raspberry cordial with a beautiful taste and attractive glowing red appearance – one that can be enjoyed by all.
TIPS
1. Select ripe, mature raspberries for your cordial.
Ripe raspberries have the best flavour and texture for making homemade cordial. Frozen raspberries can also meet this criterion.
2. Sanitize all of your equipment before starting to make the raspberry cordial
This ensures a clean end product and reduces contamination risk from bacteria or mould spores in the air or on surfaces.
3. Decide on the sugar for your cordial.
You are aiming for full flavour and sweetness without overpowering other ingredients like lemon juice or any spices added later in the process. Caster sugar dissolves fast and easily. Some brown sugar could add a caramel flavour.
4. Strain freshly-made raspberry syrup a few times
Try to strain out as much of the pulp as possible before bottling so that no sediment remains at the bottom of containers afterwards which can lead to bacterial growth during storage over time resulting in spoilage.
5. Decide whether you are aiming for a clear or cloudy cordial.
Cloudy cordial will result from ‘squeezing’ the pulp for every available drop of juice and/or scraping the strainer into the juice mixture. You then discard the remaining pulp remnants and seeds.
For a clear cordial, you must let the cooked raspberry juice drain through undisturbed, without forcing the pulp for every drop of juice. The benefits here are that you can end up with a clear red jewel-like cordial as well as the bonus of deliciously flavoured fruit pulp that you can use in baking, as an instant fruit spread or drizzle over ice cream or cake or stirred through yoghurt/whipped cream, mmmm. You can also store it in the fridge for up to 48 hours to enjoy. The clear option is a win for me every time!
6. Steeping time
Let the mixture steep for a minimum of 2 hours, ideally for longer. (Store covered in a bowl or large jug in the fridge for 24-48 hours). While this lets the maximum raspberry flavour get into the syrup, this allowance is even more important if/when you are adding additional flavouring ingredients.
Raspberry cordial flavour options
- Expand the hint of citrus options by using orange or lime instead of lemon
- Make a spiced version with a small cinnamon stick or a cardamom pod to bring a more exotic, customised flavour.
- For a herbal twist, add fresh or dried lavender buds, rosemary or mint leaves during the steeping process to infuse their flavours into the cordial.
Suggestions of ways to use and enjoy your cordial
1. Creating a summer cocktail –
Combine with vodka and/or sparkling wine such as Prosecco for a delicious raspberry-flavoured drink.
2. For desserts –
Drizzle some of the concentrated cordial over ice cream, into yoghurt, or add to other bases like coconut milk or almond milk. A milkshake begging to happen; or try adding to your favourite latte – a beautiful experience!
As a topping in recipes that include whipped cream, custard, cream cheese frosting, etc.
3. In your Baking
Cakes, muffins, and biscuits – Add some of the cordial into your favourite cake or biscuit recipe for an amazing berry aroma and flavour throughout your baking creations! Drizzle the cordial over cupcakes for an indulgent treat!
4. Add some to a salad dressing or marinade for a different flavour note.
5. A whenever fruity refreshing drink.
Add still or fizzy water or tonic for a delicious summery drink. Dilute as you prefer. Make a whole jug full, and keep it in the fridge for all to enjoy!
Making a homemade raspberry cordial is not only easy, but it expands your enjoyment of the delicious taste of ripe raspberries. This recipe makes a lovely homemade gift for friends and family, or simply a treat for yourself. And if you need any more convincing, remember that cordial is just an alcohol-free dessert in disguise! Cheers!
Raspberry Cordial Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen scales
- Chopping board and knife
- Preserving pan or large saucepan
- Zester
- Potato masher
- Long-handled spoon for stirring
- Jelly bag or large sieve/colander lined with double muslin OR fine mesh strainer
- Large bowl
- Ladle
- Funnel
- Clean, sterilised glass bottles with sealable lids
Ingredients
- 350 g raspberries
- 250 g white sugar
- ½ lemon, for its zest and juice
- 220 ml water (or more as needed)
Instructions
- Wash the raspberries thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Make sure to pat them dry after washing. This will ensure that your cordial is free from dirt and pests.
- Wash the lemon, and zest and juice it.
- Place the raspberries in a bowl and mash them up with a potato masher until they become a juicy soft pulp. (if you are using frozen raspberries, just leave them to thaw after which they will need minimal mashing.)
- Pour the boiling water into another pan with the sugar and stir to mix all ingredients evenly. Bring this to a boil and ensure that all the sugar is dissolved.
- Remove the sugar syrup from the heat and carefully add all of the lovely squashed raspberries.Let this mixture stand to the side, covered lightly, for 2 hours minimum so that the flavours can fully steep.
- Strain out any seeds or solids from any of the options listed above. Complete this process relative to your decision about a clear or cloudy cordial.
- Mix some cordial with water to check for sweetness, adding more sugar or lemon juice as preferred.
- Return the raspberry-infused syrup to the pan and boil for 5-10 minutes. Then strain again.
- Once you are satisfied that you have removed as much sediment as possible, pour your cordial into sterilized bottles or jars with lids on top – making sure you leave an inch at least empty at the top for expansion due to temperature changes during storage! Store this concentrated raspberry syrup/cordial in the fridge for 3-4 weeks, or pour it into sealable bags or freezer-safe containers to freeze for 4-6 months.
Notes
TIPS
1. Select ripe, mature raspberries for your cordial.
Ripe raspberries have the best flavour and texture for making homemade cordial. Frozen raspberries can also meet this criterion.2. Sanitize all of your equipment before starting to make the raspberry cordial
This ensures a clean end product and reduces contamination risk from bacteria or mould spores in the air or on surfaces.3. Decide on the sugar for your cordial.
You are aiming for full flavour and sweetness without overpowering other ingredients like lemon juice or any spices added later in the process. Caster sugar dissolves fast and easily. Some brown sugar could add a caramel flavour.4. Strain freshly-made raspberry syrup a few times
Try to strain out as much of the pulp as possible before bottling so that no sediment remains at the bottom of containers afterwards which can lead to bacterial growth during storage over time resulting in spoilage.5. Decide whether you are aiming for a clear or cloudy cordial.
Cloudy cordial will result from ‘squeezing’ the pulp for every available drop of juice and/or scraping the strainer into the juice mixture. You then discard the remaining pulp remnants and seeds. For a clear cordial, you must let the cooked raspberry juice drain through undisturbed, without forcing the pulp for every drop of juice. The benefits here are that you can end up with a clear red jewel-like cordial as well as the bonus of deliciously flavoured fruit pulp that you can use in baking, as an instant fruit spread or drizzle over ice cream or cake or stirred through yoghurt/whipped cream, mmmm. You can also store it in the fridge for up to 48 hours to enjoy. The clear option is a win for me every time!6. Steeping time
Let the mixture steep for a minimum of 2 hours, ideally for longer. (Store covered in a bowl or large jug in the fridge for 24-48 hours). While this lets the maximum raspberry flavour get into the syrup, this allowance is even more important if/when you are adding additional flavouring ingredients.Raspberry cordial flavour options
- Expand the hint of citrus options by using orange or lime instead of lemon
- Make a spiced version with a small cinnamon stick or a cardamom pod to bring a more exotic, customised flavour.
- For a herbal twist, add fresh or dried lavender buds, rosemary or mint leaves during the steeping process to infuse their flavours into the cordial.
Suggestions of ways to use and enjoy your cordial
1. Creating a summer cocktail –
Combine with vodka and/or sparkling wine such as Prosecco for a delicious raspberry-flavoured drink.2. For desserts –
Drizzle some of the concentrated cordial over ice cream, into yoghurt, or add to other bases like coconut milk or almond milk. A milkshake begging to happen; or try adding to your favourite latte – a beautiful experience! As a topping in recipes that include whipped cream, custard, cream cheese frosting, etc.3. In your Baking
Cakes, muffins, and biscuits – Add some of the cordial into your favourite cake or biscuit recipe for an amazing berry aroma and flavour throughout your baking creations! Drizzle the cordial over cupcakes for an indulgent treat! 4. Add some to a salad dressing or marinade for a different flavour note.5. A whenever fruity refreshing drink.
Add still or fizzy water or tonic for a delicious summery drink. Dilute as you prefer. Make a whole jug full, and keep it in the fridge for all to enjoy!Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
All nutritional information is an estimate only, based on third-party calculations derived from an online nutritional calculator, Spoonacular API. The data provided is a courtesy and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients and brands you use, your measuring methods and portion sizes. For accurate results, we recommend that you calculate the nutritional information yourself, using a preferred nutritional calculator or advice from a nutritionist, based on your ingredients and individual processes.