Elderflower

[Sleepy]

This recipe is my favourite, and was given to me by my Mother-in-Law, Mrs Constance Jackson. Sadly she passed away earlier this year aged 97.

Elderflower Champagne

6 Elderflower heads
2 Lemons (sliced)
8 pints of water
1.5 lb sugar
2 tbsp white wine vinegar

Procedure:
Put elderflower heads and lemons in a primary fermentation vessel (large clean bucket) and pour on the water. Leave to soak for 24 - 36 hours. Strain through a sterile cloth (or muslin) and add sugar and vinegar. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved and pour into screw-top bottles. Leave tops slightly loose for 10 to 14 days. Keep for 2 to 3 months before drinking. Serve chilled on a hot, balmy evening.

[Sleepy]

The said:

Does it turn out fizzy Sleepy?

Sparkling is the word The witch. And yes, if all goes well it does.

[Sleepy]

admin said:

The said:

Does it turn out fizzy Sleepy?

Sparkling is the word The witch. And yes, if all goes well it does.

A bit late in the year for elderflowers now though.

[4pygmies]

Should I mention that the potion has a tendency to smell like cat's pee for a while? But don't chuck it out as once the sugars start doing their thing the stink disappears

[Sleepy]

4pygmies said:

Should I mention that the potion has a tendency to smell like cat's pee for a while? But don't chuck it out as once the sugars start doing their thing the stink disappears

Ahhh... now it's interesting you say that. This is down to the elderflowers you use. Some smell like cats pee and some are fragrant. Interestingly enough the difference in marked but very subtle. You can smell the difference when you smell them, but side by side it's hard to work out why it is different.

So choose the nice smelling flowers and your potion shouldn't ever smell like cats pee.

Right, I'm off to the pit

Hi'ya Titch

[4pygmies]

Bonjour, mon ami. Have a nice day in the pit. I am mainly in the leek tank for 9 hours today....

[manfred]

O.K. so now I've heard about the elderberry flower. I had no idea that you could do this. I'd be the first one in a lineup to try it, though. I'll bet it is every bit as healthy as what I do! I am not generally a drinker of wine, beer, etc. but like an occasional drink of very good wine and beer only. I am very tempted to try elderberry wine, but need all my berries to make my tonic. Given the opportunity I would try it, though. Right at present I am on a quest to find a good reliable source of plain, pure elderberry concentrate to meet my needs as I didn't pick this year for the first time in ten years. If you know of anysource within the americas, preferably, for convenience, let me know. How many American Forum users are there? Manfred (from Canada--where we say 'eh?' a lot. Americans tend to laugh at us for this quirk ;D)