Recently we have had some lovely weather and as soon as the summer truly arrives anticipation builds in our household for my husbands Elderflower Champagne. He makes it every year and it is dangerously delicious and gets stronger and more alcoholic over time. As the elderflowers have been late this year he has only just made his batch. I thought I would share his recipe with you all below:
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Ingredients
24-30 elderflower heads
2kg sugar
4 litres hot water
6 litres cold water
A dash of lemon juice
Step 1
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Collect your flower heads, these do not need storing and are best used fresh.
Step 2
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Dissolve the sugar in a large container (we use a 25 litre brew bin) with the hot water and stir until fully dissolved.
Step 3
Next add the cold water, lemon juice, flower heads and stir.
Step 4
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Cover the mixture with a muslin cloth and leave in a cool place to stand for two days. I also took the time here to annoy my husband by trying to take his photo 🙂
Step 5
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After a couple of days bubbles should start to fizz through the elderflowers, which will be floating on top. If this hasn’t happened add a little dried yeast to help fermentation. Leave for another 4 days.
Step 6
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Strain the mixture through muslin and pour into bottles. Fermentation will continue in the bottle giving the champagne its fizz. Your champagne will be ready in about two weeks, but can be left longer.
Finally
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I end with a warning; the champagne will improve and become stronger over time. Be warned though this will cause more gas to build up in the bottles. If you don’t keep an eye on them and rebottle if necessary bottles have been known to explode.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.
This recipe does sound lovely and so easy. maybe next year we will get around to making some! There is certainly not a lack of elderflowers here.
Oooh yum! This is definitely on my to do list this weekend 😀 xxxx
ooo nice blog. Thanx for visiting me & following. I am ur newest follower
oooh this sounds delish!!! I dont' think I'll experiment with it, just live vicariously through you. I'm following you back!
heather
Thanks for visiting and following my site! I'm following you back. =)
littlesproutgrowing.blogspot.com
Go for it Jen, it's definitely worth it once it's made 🙂
Hubby checked on ours it's coming along nicely, can't wait
Great recipe! Thanks for visiting Lemons to Lemonade, I am now a follower.
Never heard of this, but it sounds great.
Thanks for visiting me at Pittypat Paperie and becoming a follower. I am returning the favor Ü
This looks really great! Following you back, thanks for visiting The Foodie Mommie!
http://www.foodymommy.blogspot.com.
Oh, and I also grabbed your button and added it to my blog roll!
Hi Angel,
Thanks for following. Great recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Anne-Marie
I know how explosive this stuff can be.
Best opened in the garden with someone holding the glass to catch it…