Who needs to go to the movies when the garden is in full display? Relax and enjoy the season’s offerings with this easy homemade summer cordial recipe. It’s the perfect seasonal drink for a party, potluck, or gathering in the garden.
What is cordial used for?
This summer cordial is the perfect little drink to sip at seasonal celebrations, or to pair with food and desserts. Cordials are a big hit at parties and potlucks — pretty soon you’ll be asked to bring the drinks every time folks get together!
“This summer cordial is the perfect little drink to sip at seasonal celebrations, or to pair with food and desserts.”
You can also use this fruity summer cordial in the kitchen. Add it to desserts, cakes, pie fillings, and homemade jams. It’s delicious blended into whipped cream. You can also stir this cordial into fresh fruit to make a tasty dessert that’s easy to put together in just a few minutes.
What is this summer cordial made of?
Inspired by the gifts of the earth, this summer cordial celebrates summer and the land on which I live. Here are some of the benefits of the herbs and fruits it contains.
Strawberries
It’s no secret that I love strawberry drinks, and this summer cordial is bright with the color, flavor, and sweetness of the fresh berries. Strawberries are rich in antioxidants and packed with vitamin C. They help reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and support heart health.
Elder Flowers
Elder flower (Sambucus mexicana and nigra) is the perfect herb with which to make summer drinks. This sweetly fragrant flower is a cooling decongestant that keeps us cool while holding seasonal allergies at bay. Rich in quercetin, elder flowers have an anti-inflammatory effect on hay fever symptoms.
If you don’t have access to elder flowers that you can grow and harvest yourself, you can find them at Mountain Rose Herbs.
Citrus Peels
Orange peel and lemon peel lend a citrusy and pleasantly bitter taste to this summer cordial. When cordial recipes include bitter herbs, this makes them excellent digestive tonics to sip before or after dinner. Be sure to use organically grown citrus that hasn’t been sprayed with harmful chemicals and pesticides.
Peppermint
Besides its refreshing taste, peppermint is an excellent digestive herb that can help settle the stomach.
Feel free to use this summer cordial recipe as a guideline and then experiment, using the seasonal herbs and fruits that you have on hand. Unleash your creativity and have fun!
Summer Splash Party Cordial
Ingredients
- 2 cups finely chopped fresh strawberries
- 1/2 cup fresh elder flowers or 1/3 cup dried elder flowers
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh orange peel
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh lemon peel
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh peppermint
- 3 cups Chardonnay, or to cover by 2 inches
- Honey to sweeten
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a clean glass jar with the strawberries, elder flowers, orange peel, lemon peel, and peppermint.
- Pour the Chardonnay to cover the ingredients by 2 inches. Stir well.
- Put a lid on the jar and let the ingredients steep for a few days.
- Place a funnel into the mouth of a clean jar or pitcher and lay muslin on top of the funnel. Carefully pour the alcohol through the muslin and funnel, letting the muslin catch the herbs and fruit, and being careful not to let them spill into the jar. Allow all the liquid to strain through the cloth into the jar. Do not squeeze the muslin, just let the liquid drip through the cloth.
- Add honey to sweeten.
- Serve with an orange garnish.
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I’d love to hear from you! What offerings from the garden are you enjoying this summer? Are you making a summer cordial? Please share in the comment below.
