A Midsummer Night’s Eve Potion
A Midsummer Night’s Eve Potion
Elderflower cordial and rose lemonade, with or without a measure of gin, is the basis for an elixir given a magic touch with petals of rose and rose-geranium, elderflower, borage, a little mint and a few strawberries. Crumbs on the Table
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) elderflower cordial
- 400 ml (1 3/4 cups) soda water, cold from the fridge
- 320 ml (1 3/8 cups) rose lemonade, cold from the fridge
- 8 small strawberries, reserving 1 for garnish
- 12 mint leaves, reserving 1 for garnish
- 20-25 (2 cups) ice cubes
- 1 Handful of fragrant unsprayed rose petals (1-2 Roses)
- 8 leaves of unsprayed rose-geranium leaves, and one of its flowers for garnish (“Attar of Roses” has a very good rose scent and taste)
- A few newly opened elderflower blossoms – one small head will do more than one drink; check that it has a pleasant smell and is free of blemishes
- 6-8 borage flowers
- 4 shots of Gin
Instructions
- Measure the elder flower cordial into one liter (quart) measuring jug.
- Muddle 2 of the mint leaves and 1 of the strawberries, along with the rose geranium leaves and rose petals if using, into the cordial in the bottom of the jug, using a spoon to bruise them to release their flavours. You can leave it for up to two hours at this stage to infuse, or proceed after 5-10 minutes with a milder taste.
- Prepare your decorations: break apart the elderflower into very small heads or individual flowers; have ready two rose-geranium flowers or a couple of small rose petals; carefully take the stem end off the back of the borage flowers.
- Just before serving, add the cold soda water to the jug with the cordial and herbals, and strain the mix into a second pouring jug. Add the ice and the cold rose lemonade, and stir well for about one minute until icy cold.
- Either add all the fruit, mint and blossom decorations to the serving jug itself, to pour into glasses randomly with the drink; or reserve some for individual glasses if you prefer, which makes a personal (and neater) touch.
- Garnish with one strawberry and one mint leaf, and add a borage flower, a rose geranium flower and a little sprinkling of the elder flowers.
