It’s that time of year again and one of my favourites! The elderflower has been out for a week or so now and it’s my all time favourite foraged treat, the smell and taste is simply delicious and nothing says Summer like some elderflower cordial and champagne.
Alas I’ve been prone to miss it these past couple of years due to work commitments and this year is no different. I spotted hundreds of elderflower bushes on route to a garden show in Kent last week and made a mental note to go out and pick some in my village. So after ordering some wine bottles and corks and getting the delivery yesterday I decided to wake up with the sun to go on the hunt for some elderflower.
Strangely enough there are only two beautiful elderflower bushes in my village running alongside a quiet road and an overgrown field. Last year I was a week early and caught the flowers before they dropped but this year I was not so lucky… I did however, manage to pick enough to make 2 gallons of elderflower champagne so not all hope was lost!
I filled my little wicker basket with as many elderflower heads as me and my trusty shepherds crook could reach before heading home to start brewing. I’m using a recipe from ‘The Preserving Book’ by Lynda Brown, one of my favourite books which I received as a birthday present over 5 years ago and have been making things from over the years. I made some of this champagne 3 years ago and very stupidly used cheap corks which fell apart when opened. So this year I opted for some quality corks and fingers crossed I get a delicious batch of champagne to drink throughout the Summer months.
It will be ready in 2 weeks time so if it tastes nice then I’ll be sure to share the recipe for you all to try next year!