Elderflower
“Hawthorn blooms, and Elderflowers fill a house with evil powers”
It has been a lot about elderflowers these days. And how can it not be, with blooming trees, sending the honey-like scent, right outside the window.
Elderflowers, believed to protect from evil, are a pure joy to be enjoyed (only the black ones, as the red, are poisonous). Boiled in syrup or cordial, it makes a stunning lemonade or unbeatable addition to the famous Hugo cocktail. Infused in vinegar, it changes it from simple to extraordinary. Infused with vodka and mixed with sugar, it turns into liqueur to use in cocktails. Flowers added to cream left to infuse, make stunning Panna Cotta, Creme Brulee, custard, and ice cream. Boiled with strawberries, it makes both of them look more sophisticated.
When harvesting, the important thing is to do it during midday when they are fully opened, and never in the rain. Leave out all flowers that are with a hint of brown and unopened. Look out for "guests" that like to come with them, removing any living souls, but do not wash them, as you will lose lots of fragrance. And use them as soon as you have harvested (2h should be maximum).
Place 30 heads and zest of 2 organic lemons into a bowl. Pour over 1.5 l of boiling water. Leave for 12-24h. Strain into a kettle, add 100ml of lemon juice, and 1kg of golden caster sugar. Boil on medium-high heat until it starts to bubble, continuing for 10 more minutes. Pour into sterilized bottles, seal and keep in a cool place or fridge (for weeks). Or cool and pour into bottles you can place into the freezer (for longer life). To make the pink version, I add 500g of strawberries in the first stage.