Homemade cordial?

[Ottika]

Is it possible to create this?
I drink a heck of a lot of elderflower cordial, which I have just worked out comes in at 1.4 teaspoons of sugar per serving. Since I don't even take that much in tea, I would love to reduce it, since I drink it a lot through the day with water and ice.

It seems the ingredients contain 'natural flavourings' and citric acid. As well as actual elderflowers, which I would have no idea how to source. So maybe I need to invent a new flavour?

I used to enjoy sparkling water with a fresh squeeze of lime or orange juice, but now that tastes so flat in comparison. I have possibly sugared-up my palette

Any tips would be very welcome!

I made elderflower cordial in the first 2020 lockdown, for want of something to involve the DC in. Picked loads of elderflower, made the cordial and then I was the only one who actually drank it. It was lovely - I’d have it with Prosecco. It smelled of Parma violets, it was great! I was really shocked by how much sugar went into it though, it’s put me off buying it ever since.

We have elderflower growing against and overhanging the back wall of our garden, so can’t help with sourcing it, sorry. I think I used a bbc recipe.

Yes, I imagine even homemade cordial is pretty sugary! Just like home made pancakes.
Saying that, I am quite urban and have no idea where I would find it....not to mention the longevity.

Mmm, I wonder if there could be a tasty healthier alternative without sweeteners of any kind.

https://www.askcharlie.how/blog/how-to-make-my-homemade-low-sugar-utterly-delicious-elderflower-cordial lovely recipe and not as sugary as other recipes

My mum used to make lemon cordial but that had ton of sugar in. It was delicious though. I don’t know if you need to put a lot of sugar into other flavours or if it was just because she used lemons. Perhaps there is an alternative sweetener you could use?

Homemade cordial is very sugary because sugar is the preservative. Without sugar it would go manky extremely quickly.

Elderflower cordial is a doddle to make. Fresh lemons, about 20-25 elderflower heads picked first thing on a dry day, water and a shedload of sugar. I do it every June.

Here you go -
https://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/elderflower-cordial

Dry flower heads only just open are the ones you want - they are a slightly creamy white and full of pollen. Any country lanes in June should have plenty. The quieter the lane the better, as the air quality will be better. You don’t want traffic pollution in your cordial! Parks are also a good potential picking ground.

Always pick flowers that are above waist height at least to avoid any that have been piddled on by dogs (or cyclists caught short)