I've bottled summer!
Let me tell you about this amazing honeysuckle cordial recipe that I made with my daughter. It's like sipping sunshine in a glass.
We picked 2-3 cups of fresh honeysuckle flowers from our garden. Added those to a lemon, sugar, water, and a bit of citric acid. Easy peasy!
All you need are fresh honeysuckle flowers, sugar, water, and a bit of patience. The process is simple, but the payoff is huge. You'll end up with a unique, homemade treat that tastes like summer in a bottle.
This cordial is refreshing on hot days with some ice and water. It's also great with sparkling water for a fancy fizzy drink. Plus, honeysuckle may help boost your immune system - perfect for back-to-school season!
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Why You'll Love This Honeysuckle Cordial Recipe
You'll love how this cordial captures the essence of summer. The sweet, floral taste of honeysuckle is unlike anything you can buy in a store.
It's a great way to preserve the fleeting honeysuckle season. With this cordial, you can enjoy that summery flavor all year round.
This recipe is so easy to make. Even if you're new to making syrups or cordials, you'll find this process simple and rewarding.
Tips
Pick your honeysuckle flowers in the morning when they're most fragrant. Make sure to gather them from an area that hasn't been sprayed with pesticides.
Don't wash the flowers. Just gently shake them to remove any insects. Washing can dilute the flavor.
Use a light-colored sugar like white or cane sugar. This will let the honeysuckle's delicate flavor shine through.
The Ingredients
Honeysuckle Flowers
These are the star of the show. Honeysuckle flowers have a sweet, floral flavor that's hard to describe but impossible to forget. Make sure to use only the blossoms, not the leaves or stems.
Sugar
Sugar does more than just sweeten the cordial. It also helps extract the flavor from the flowers and acts as a preservative. Use regular granulated sugar for best results.
Water
Water forms the base of the syrup. Use filtered water if possible for the cleanest taste.
Lemon Juice
A small amount of lemon juice helps balance the sweetness and acts as a natural preservative. It also helps maintain the cordial's color.
How to Make Honeysuckle Cordial
Gather the Flowers
Pick about 2 cups of fresh honeysuckle blossoms. Remove any green parts.
Make the Syrup
Combine sugar and water in a pot. Heat until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add the flowers.
Infuse
Let the flowers steep in the syrup overnight or up to 24 hours.
Strain and Bottle
Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve. Add lemon juice and stir. Pour into clean bottles.
What to Serve With Honeysuckle Cordial
Substitutions
- Use elderflowers instead of honeysuckle for a different floral cordial
- Try honey instead of sugar for a different sweetness profile
- Use orange blossom water for a quick alternative if you can't find fresh honeysuckle
Equipment
- Large pot
- Fine mesh strainer
- Glass bottles for storage
FAQs
How long does honeysuckle cordial last?
Stored in the refrigerator, it should last for several months due to the high sugar content and addition of lemon juice.
Can I use dried honeysuckle flowers?
Fresh flowers are best, but you can use dried if that's all you have. You might need to use more dried flowers to get the same intensity of flavor.
📖 Recipe
Honeysuckle Cordial
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh honeysuckle blossoms
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Gather honeysuckle blossoms, removing any leaves or stems.
- Combine sugar and water in a pot. Heat until sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat and add honeysuckle blossoms.
- Let steep for 24 hours at room temperature.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve.
- Stir in lemon juice.
- Pour into clean bottles and refrigerate.
Notes
- Use within 3-4 months for best flavor.
- Dilute to taste when using.
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