Essay About
Home-made blackcurrant cordial is a delicious and refreshing drink that is easy to make, and very cheap too if you grow your own blackcurrants. We had masses of blackcurrants in our garden this year, and after we’d made enough jam to last the year this was a great way to make the most of the surplus fruit.
What you will need
Ingredients
- 1 lb blackcurrants
- 1/2 lb sugar
- 1/4 pint water
- 1 lemon
Equipment
- a large saucepan
- straining bag or fine sieve
- funnel
- sterilised bottle
Method
Wash and destalk the blackcurrants, then add to the saucepan with the sugar and water.
Cook over a low heat, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved.Chop the lemon roughly and throw into the pan, turn the heat up and boil for up to 10 minutes – no longer or the mixture will start to turn into jam if you’re not careful!
Allow to cool for 15 minutes, then put everything through a straining cloth or sieve, and collect the cordial in a large jug. Squeeze out as much of the liquid as you can.
Pour through a funnel into a sterilised bottle – and you’re done. This recipe will make approximately 1 pint, but can easily be scaled up to make larger amounts if required.
Store in the fridge for up to a month (if it lasts that long!) or freeze in plastic bottles until required.
Dilute to around one part cordial to four parts cold water, and serve with ice and a slice for the most refreshing summer drink. It also makes a lovely warming winter drink if mixed with hot water. My family have also discovered that the undiluted syrup makes a mouth-watering topping for ice cream, and it can of course be used as a mixer for spirits.