Elderflower blossom is in full bloom at the moment. Not only do they smell gorgeous, they’re easily made into the perfect summer drink. So here’s the recipe for elderflower cordial that has been requested by some of our friends on Twitter.

Ingredients

  • 20 elderflower heads
  • 1.8 kilos sugar
  • 1.2 litres water
  • 2 unwaxed lemons
  • 75g citric acid (available at pharmacies or health food shops)
  1. Carefully shake each flower head to remove any insects and put them in a large bowl (one with a pouring lip would be ideal)
  2. Put the sugar & water into a saucepan and bring to the boil, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved
  3. Peel the lemons and add this zest to the bowl of elderflowers
  4. Slice the zested lemons and also add these to the bowl
  5. Pour the boiling sugar syrup into the bowl and stir in the citric acid
  6. Cover with a cloth / tea towel and leave at room temperature for 24 hours
  7. Strain the cordial through a fine sieve or muslin and pour into sterilised glass or plastic bottles. Screw on the lids and refrigerate or store in a cool cupboard. You can also 3/4-fill plastic bottles and freeze

Dilute the cordial approximately 1:4 with sparkling mineral water – or try adding a dash to gin & vodka cocktails, white wine spritzers or champagne!

Serving suggestion:

Hot sunny day

Tall glass

Lots of ice

Deck chair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Potato masher banner

We often feature mid-twentieth century items in our blogs, but we also have a real passion for old country furniture.

We picked up this wonderful piece of rustic kitchenalia – we think it’s a potato masher.

Perhaps Irish in origin, although we’re not sure at this stage… a bit more research is required.  It’s a very unusual piece.

BLOG UPDATE: 22nd  June.  We now think that the object in question is actually a cheese press. The wet cheese, contained within a cloth is pressed by the wooden block, the excess liquid draining through the holes. We’re still not sure about the country of origin. British/Irish is still likely, although continental Europe is a possibility – and we were also sent pictures of a very similarly designed piece which was in a U.S. auction of farm machinery. (Thanks to Erik Schepers).

If you like cottage interiors or country furniture, these books are well worth a look:


Irish Country Furniture (Amazon UK)

Irish Country Furniture (Amazon US)


English Cottage Interiors (Amazon UK)
English Country Furniture (Amazon UK)
English Cottage Interiors (Amazon US)
English Country Furniture (Amazon US)

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