Make Your Own Blackcurrant Cordial

I make blackcurrant cordial with the blackcurrants off my plot.  Home-made cordial was traditionally used as a sore throat remedy because blackcurrants contain lots of Vitamin C and can ward off colds.  This cordial can be diluted to use as a drink or poured undiluted as a syrup on pancakes or ice-cream...

I freeze my blackcurrants and make small quantities of cordial throughout the year.  This recipe makes about a pint of juice, so you can make a large batch and scale up if you prefer.

Blackcurrant Cordial

Ingredients
140ml or 1/4 pint water
450g or 1lb fruit
225 or 8oz sugar to each pint of juice extracted
Juice of a lemon or 1/2tsp citric acid

Equipment

Preserving pan
Jam Strainer or a colander with a clean sterile piece of muslin and

Bottles
Funnel

Method

• Wash blackcurrants, top and tail and remove stalks. You can forget topping and tailing and removing stalks if you are throwing away the pulp.  ( keep the pulp and add it to apple crumbles). 

• Put your blackcurrants in a preserving pan pan and add the water. Slowly bring the blackcurrants to the boil and simmer gently for about 40 minutes until berries are soft.

• Use a potato masher to release the juice and leave to cool down.  Sterilise your muslin in boiling water and line the colander or strainer. When the blackcurrant liquid is cool, pour it through the strainer and leave it at least 4 hours or preferably overnight.

• Sterilise your bottle.  If using plastic bottles, wash in hot water and leave to dry.

• Measure out the sugar according to how much liquid you have.  Return liquid to the preserving pan, with sugar and simmer for 5 minutes (just long enough to let the sugar dissolve and the cordial thicken) but don't leave it longer or it will turn into jam!

• Add the lemon or citric acid and simmer for another 2 minutes. Pour the cordial into sterile bottles and keep in the fridge. 

I freeze cordial when I make a batch, but remember to leave space at the top of the bottle for the liquid to expand as it freezes.

Blackcurrant Leaf Tea

Did you know that you can  use blackcurrant leaves to make a refreshing tea?  The leaves have an aromatic flavour and can be crushed and used to make a herbal infusion. Pour 1 pint of water over 1 tablespoon of chopped blackcurrant leaves. Alternatively, they can be added to ordinary black tea to enhance the flavour.  See my earlier post: DIY Herbal Tea! for more info on herbal teas and growing your own...

Interesting Links
Grow Your Own Magic if you want to learn more about growing your own health-giving plants.
Home Remedies for colds and Flu find out how you can keep these at bay.
Blackcurrant Leaves, Tea, Uses and Health Benefits 

Visit Mrs G on Pinterest for more cordial recipes and other makes, bakes and gardening tips.

Stay healthy and thanks for visiting today!