Three tips for elderflower picking and how to make your own cordial
TAKE a spring walk with the family and have fun foraging for elderflowers.
The end of May and June is a great time to find the plant in bloom.
It can be used to create your own cordial.
Here’s what you need to know . . .
ON THE HUNT: Elderflower is abundant across the UK and grows as a small tree or shrub with clusters of sweet-smelling white flowers.
It can be found in woods, as well as roadside hedgerows.
Pick from various places so you don’t shed a whole tree.
Shake the flowers to remove insects and wash them with water.
MIX IT UP: Elderflowers can be turned into a delicious cordial with this easy recipe from The Woodland Trust.
You need enough flowers to tightly pack and fill a litre jug or bowl.
Remove as much of the stalk as possible.
Cover the flowers with water in a pan and add the zest of one lemon then simmer for 30 minutes.
Strain liquid through a sieve or muslin, squeezing flowers to release flavour.
Add 350g of granulated sugar and the juice from half a lemon to each pint of elderflower liquid.
Heat gently for five minutes to dissolve the sugar then skim off any scum.
Once cooled, pour into a clean sterilised swing-top bottle (a four-pack is £5.25 from Hobbycraft).
The cordial will keep for several weeks in the fridge.
To serve, mix with soda water and ice, or add prosecco for a summer cocktail.
FLOWER FRITTERS: You’ll need 12 elderflower heads.
Sift 100g of plain flour, add two tablespoons of sunflower oil and 75ml of sparkling water and mix to a paste before stirring in one tablespoon of sugar. Leave for 30 minutes.
Beat an egg white and fold into the batter.
Get a deep pan of hot oil. Dip the elderflowers in the batter one at a time then fry in the oil, holding them by the stem.
Once crisp, lift out, dip into a dish of sugar, then serve
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Deal of the day
GET fit and enjoy the outdoors with the cross countess hybrid bike, down from £280 to £140 at Argos.
SAVE: £140
Cheap treat
AVAILABLE in five colours, Barry M’s Velvet nail paint is down from £3.99 to £1.99 at barrym.com.
What's new?
MORRISONS is celebrating the start of summer with 100 new barbecue and picnic foods, including these hot honey olives, £3.
Top swap
FINISH off a casual but chic outfit with these gold ballerina flats are £89, from Hobbs.
Or try New Look’s £15.99 take on the trend.
SAVE: £73.01
Hot Right Now
GET a free day pass with The Gym Group until Sunday as part of Mental Health Awareness week.
Go to thegymgroup.com, select a day pass at your nearest site and add promo code “free”.
Shop & save
REPAIR damaged and dry hair with Tigi Bed Head shampoo.
Normally £21, it’s now £7 at poundland.co.uk.
SAVE: £14
Little helper
FROM now until June 9 spend a minimum of £21 on a KFC order via the JustEat app, and get free popcorn chicken.
PLAY NOW TO WIN £200
JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.
Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.
Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.
The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!