Elderberry Syrup

Around this time of year I collect elderberries to make a syrup, pour it into bottles and use it over the winter as a warm drink ( I pour some into a mug and top it up with hot water). It is soothing, warm and full of Vitamin C so keeps those colds at bay. I had some left from last winter and used it this summer with lemonade, what a wonderful refreshing drink it made. So now I know I can use Elderberry Syrup all year around.

Elderberry Syrup
Large bucketfull of elderberries
water
Sugar
Cloves
Lemon

Method
1. I gather as many berries that will fill a bucket. I use a fork to remove the
berries - a job usually done outdoors as the berries can fly everywhere
2. Put the berries into a large pan and half fill with water.
3. Bring to the boil and leave to simmer for 25-30 mins until the juice is extracted
4. Strain the juice into a clean pan.
5. Add 1 lb of sugar for every 1 pint of juice into the pan
6. Add juice of 1 lemon for every 1 pint of juice into the pan
7. Add about 20 whole cloves
8. Bring the juice to the boil and leave to simmer 10 minutes making sure all the
sugar has dissolved, it will thicken slightly into a syrup.
9. Strain again to remove the cloves and leave to cool.
10. Pour into clean bottles, seal and leave in a dark place. Once opened leave in
the fridge until needed

It really has the most amazing colour and taste