Wild Elderberry Cordial
Foraging wild foods is a simple way to reconnect with the land, seasonal eating and the food growing right on our doorstep. Elderberries are a brilliant example! They’re abundant in late summer and contain naturally occurring antioxidants and vitamin C. This elderberry cordial is simple to make, naturally sweetened with maple syrup and delicious mixed with sparkling water, drizzled over porridge or spooned over desserts. Elderberries should always be cooked before consumption, as raw elderberries can cause stomach upset.
Takes 40 minutes
Serves 12
Ingredients
- 100 g of elderberries or 15 elderberry heads about ¾ cup stripped elderberries
- 1 litre water
- 250 ml maple syrup about 1 cup
- Juice of ½ lemon
Instructions
- Using a fork, strip the elderberries from their stems and discard the stems. Only use ripe, dark elderberries and never eat them raw.
- Add the elderberries, water, maple syrup and lemon juice to a saucepan.
- Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Strain through a fine sieve, pressing the berries to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Pour into a clean bottle or jar and store in the fridge.
- Mix a splash of elderberry cordial with sparkling water for a refreshing drink, or drizzle it over porridge, yoghurt, pancakes or desserts.