Ever since I read Anne of Green Gables, I have wanted to make cordial. I came across a recipe for wild blackberry cordial on a blog that I absolutely love called The Essential Herbal. You can find it here. It is a very simple recipe. I don't even think that I can mess this one up.
The recipe calls for:
- glass jar (any size)
- blackberries (enough to fill 1/3 to 1/2 of the jar)
- maple syrup (real not fake)
- brandy (80 proof)
and some organic syrup.
Next, I headed over to the liquor store to buy some brandy. I don't normally drink brandy so I have no brand preference. But E&J was mentioned so I went with that one.
Then I headed home and I started to make my first batch of wild blackberry cordial. I began by cleaning the jars and rinsing the blackberries.
I added the blackberries to the jars
Then, I added the maple syrup.
Finally, I added an equal part of brandy to the jars.
I put the lids on the jars and gave them a good shake.
I labeled my new concoction and set it aside to infuse for the next 10 days to 6 weeks.
I will continue to shake it occasionally until it is ready. When it is done, I will strain out the fruit and decant the cordial into some pretty bottle. They say that cordial will keep for years without refrigeration. I figure the alcohol will kill most anything.
Et voila! My first batch of blackberry cordial. I am so excited. I may even go back and read the Anne of Green Gables series again.