Fizzy

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 :-(