Hello, Blossom

We don't know about where you are but here in West Cornwall, the hedgerows are full of elderflower blossom and nothing tastes like summer more than elderflower cordial. Serve it with sparkling water for a refreshing drink or add it to cocktails for a summer twist on your favourites.

Here are  couple of our failsafe recipes for summer sipping:

Elderflower Cordial

Makes about 2 litres

Ingredients

• 25 elderflower heads

• Juice and zest of three unwaxed lemons

• 1kg of sugar

• 1 heaped tsp of citric acid (optional)

Method

• Check the elderflower heads and remove any dead flowers or insects.

• Boil 1.5 litres of water and pour into a large bowl with the elderflowers and lemon zest. Leave to infuse overnight.

• Strain through a fine sieve or piece of muslin and add to a pan with the sugar, lemon juice and citric acid if using.

• Heat gently until the sugar is dissolved and allow to simmer for a few minutes.

• Pour the syrup into sterilised bottles and seal.

A note on citric acid

Although it's not essential, we like to use citric acid in our cordial as it prolongs the shelf life and cuts through the sweetness. It's available in chemists and online.

Hugo Spritz

Makes one regular cocktail or several mini ones depending on the size of your glasses.

Ingredients

• 20ml gin

• 20ml elderflower cordial

• 60ml prosecco

• 60ml soda water

• Mint leaves and lime to garnish

Method

• Lightly bruise the mint and place it in a wine glass.

• Fill the glass with ice

• Pour over the gin and elderflower cordial followed by the prosecco and soda water

• Gently stir

• Garnish with a mint leaf and lime wedge.