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Set on a wooden table, an arrangement of green leaves with bunches of black elderberries in foreground and background. A lidded bottle of elderberry cordial with a white daisy to the left front side.

Homemade Elderberry Cordial Recipe

This delicious homemade cordial is a delightful and refreshing drink, perfect for sipping in the summer sunshine or enjoying on a cold winter day.
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Course Drinks
Cuisine British
Calories 1536 kcal

Equipment

  • Kitchen scales
  • Chopping board and knife
  • Large saucepan
  • Long-handled spoon for stirring
  • Jelly bag/fine mesh strainer/colander lined with double folded muslin
  • Glass bowl
  • Ladle
  • Jam Funnel
  • Clean, sterilised glass jars with sealable lids
  • Optional: Potato masher

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g elderberries
  • 300 g sugar
  • ½ lemon
  • water

Instructions
 

  • Wash the lemon - set aside zest and juice from half of the lemon. (You can use the other half for when you make up some drinks using the finished cordial!)
  • Remove the elderberries from the stalks using a fork. Then, start by washing and draining the berries, and next, add them to a saucepan.
  • Add enough water to cover the berries and turn up the heat.
  • Let the berries slowly simmer in the water for 20-30 minutes so that they soften and break down. You can support the process by squashing the berries with a potato masher.
  • Set the mixture aside to cool for a few minutes, then strain it. Leave it for as long as you can to get the most strain through. You can press/squeeze the pulp, but be careful not to add too much potential sediment to the liquid.
  • Rinse out your preserving pan. Then add the strained liquid with the sugar, lemon zest and juice, and stir.
  • Slowly turn up the heat, and keep stirring to encourage the sugar to dissolve completely.
  • Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for 15-20 minutes until it's just starting to become syrupy.
  • Once you are satisfied with the consistency, carefully taste some and decide whether you need more sugar or a bit more lemon juice. Once decided, heat the liquid again for a couple of minutes, and ladle it into your prepared jar/bottle.
  • Leave them to cool completely, and then label them.
    Store in a cool dark place for up to 10 months. Refrigerate once opened.

Notes

TIPS for making this delicious cordial

1. Choose from fresh, dried or frozen elderberries – Any choice you make will be delicious! Just adjust the amount used according to which type you are using - For this recipe, use half the weight of dried elderberries and add more water to double their volume. The dried berries need to be soaked first and the frozen ones thawed. so allow time for this ahead of continuing with the recipe. (Yes this does mean that you could freeze picked berries until you have time to make the cordial.)
2. Be sure to wear an apron or 'older clothes' as elderberries are notorious for staining (unless you are super careful...).
3. Sweeten your cordial with honey instead of sugar to get maximum health benefits. You will need to refrigerate this mixture for storage from the outset as it will not be shelf-stable.
4. You can store the cordial in the freezer either in freezer-safe containers, zip-lock bags or ice cube trays for convenient portioning.
 

Personalise this black elderberry cordial

  • Adjust the spices to suit your tastes and needs – Try adding other unique spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and anise for added depth in flavour and nutrition benefits.
  • Incorporate other herbs for additional health benefits - Try incorporating herbs such as rose hips, ginger root powder, chamomile flowers and lavender buds along with elderberry extract for extra vitamins and minerals that may help support immune health.
  • Make the cordial with complimenting fruit and turn it into elderberry and apple cordial. Or use an orange instead of a lemon.

Suggestions on how to use and enjoy elderberry cordial

  1. Enjoy it as a refreshing drink on its own, either diluted with hot or cold water.
  2. Make a delicious elderberry mocktail by mixing the cordial with soda water, fresh a slice of lemon and mint leaves.
  3. Use it in an elderberry cordial cocktail such as an Elderberry Fizz or an Elderberry Margarita for something special at parties and gatherings. Make a statement with an elderberry G&T, or poured into a glass of your favourite celebratory sparkling wine.
  4. Add the cordial to your favourite smoothie recipe for a unique flavour twist that's also packed with vitamins and antioxidants!
  5. Boil some cordial for a bit longer to make a thicker syrup and then use this over pancakes or waffles instead of traditional maple syrup for a healthier breakfast treat! Or drizzle some on top of your morning oatmeal or overnight oats to give them an extra boost of flavour and nutrition!
  6. Add some to your favourite cake loaf or muffin batter to add more depth and complexity to each bite!
  7. Use it as part of salad and other dressings or add something different to a marinade.

A black elderberry cordial health kick

Elderberry cordial has long been used by many cultures around the world to help alleviate the symptoms of the common cold and flu. The natural compounds found in elderberries have been shown to have antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation, boost immune system function, and have the potential to reduce fever and chest congestion.
To try this as a medicinal cordial, simply mix a tablespoon of your homemade elderberry cordial with warm water or juice and drink as needed for symptom relief - ideally two or three times a day. (Note: if your symptoms persist, it is best to seek medical advice from a doctor.)

Nutrition

Calories: 1536kcalCarbohydrates: 396gProtein: 4gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gSodium: 34mgPotassium: 1481mgFiber: 37gSugar: 301gVitamin A: 3012IUVitamin C: 209mgCalcium: 207mgIron: 8mg
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.

Keyword elderberry cordial
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