Fizzy

[igenlode]

I accidentally left the last of my elderflower cordial out on the worktop this afternoon, in temperatures of over seventy degrees, and by the time I remembered it, the cordial had started to ferment, with a distinct hiss when I opened the bottle. Of course one traditionally does ferment elderflower champagne, but I'm not sure how drinkable this is going to be, or for how long. Fortunately there isn't very much left.

I did get quite a taste for it in the end, though it still doesn't have the expected flavour of 'proper' elderflower cordial. I think they must have been very early flowers up on the Common, because the elder trees down here by the river are only just coming into full bloom. Maybe not even the same variety?

I'm tempted to try again and to make the elderflower and rose version, which I've done with great success in the past, but that means getting hold of a deep red scented rose, and while I could steal one over the wall from a neighbour's front garden (and they probably wouldn't even notice -- or mind, if I took one that was full-blown and about to go over), I don't think I have the nerve :-(

Comments

[watervole]

I suppose normally you'd just drop round and ask, but that isn't an option right now.

[igenlode]

Unfortunately this isn't a village and I still don't know a soul in this road -- and they don't know me from Adam. I've considered appearing on the doorstep and saying 'Hallo, you've never met me but I live about fifty yards away', but I really don't have the nerve.
(I did get up the temporary courage to try it with a another beautiful front garden of roses on the other side of the main road last year, but when I rang the doorbell no-one answered, and after a minute or so of agonised anticipation I ran away again.)

I actually went down there in the dark with a pair of kitchen scissors tonight, but when it came to it I didn't take anything. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I touched one bloom and all the petals slipped off -- they don't dead-head them -- and lifted up a couple of others nodding over the wall, but I couldn't cut the stems. It would have been stealing.

[watervole]

We have a lot in common!