Elderflower Iced Tea
There is nothing like a long refreshing drink on a hot summer’s day. Especially after you have been out foraging Elderflower and creating Cordial! So make this quick and simple recipe to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Make this recipes your own while getting creative at the Kitchen Table. Try different flavour combinations with different teas! We tried this English Garden Tea from a local independent brand we love - Chai Wallah Margate. It has apple and mint notes and is so good! We have added some gin too as a Sundowner. Pure Bliss. If you don't have any Elderflower Cordial to hand here is a quick recipe to make 2 litres25 elderflower heads (approx)1kg of sugarZest (finely grated of 3 unwaxed lemons and their juice)I like to add the zest and juice of one orange too (you can do a test taste - with and without)1 teaspoon citric acid1.5 litres of waterHowRemove any insects from the Elderflowers and place the flower heads in a large bowl. Add in the lemon and orange zest too. .Bring 1.5 litres water to the boil and pour over the elderflowers and lemon and orange zest. Cover with a tea towel and leave overnight to infuse. Some people leave it even longer - you can experiment with batches leaving one for a day and one for three days to see and taste the difference. This is your cordial so make it to suit what you like best!Strain the liquid through a piece of muslin and pour into a saucepan. Add the sugar, the lemon and orange juice and the citric acidHeat on a low heat until the sugar is dissolved and then bring to a simmer and cook for a few minutesUse a funnel to pour the hot syrup into sterilised bottles. Seal the bottles with a screw top, a cork or a swing top lid. Then you can store it until you are ready to use it!
Ingredients
- 40 ml Elderflower Cordial Use your own or cheat and use shop bought
- 1 Teabag Earl Grey Tea Bag - or tea of your choice
- 1/2 Lemon
- 1 Glug Gin (optional)
- 125 mls Boiling water
- 15 large Ice Cubes
Instructions
- Pop the teabag in a large teapot or bowl and pour over boiling water.
- Leave to infuse for 30 seconds
- Mix the ice, cordial and lemon juice in a jug
- Pour the hot tea into the jug and mix until it is cold.
- Pop ice into tall glasses or tea cups along with a glug of gin (if you're having it) and pour over the tea.
- Enjoy!