Strawberry and Rose Cordial
Strawberry and Rose Cordial
Strawberry and Rose Cordial, what could be more perfect for a refreshing summer drink than a glass filled with lots of ice and all the scents and flavours of an idyllic summer.
We associate Strawberries, with the long hot summers of our childhood, with Wimbledon on the telly and with nothing more to do than swim and play. They were the indulgence of my childhood summers. Delicious, wonderfully ripe strawberries topped with whipped cream or Cornish ice-cream.
Although strawberries are available all year round, in our supermarkets nowadays, they are never better than in Summertime when they’re available locally and they are fully ripened out in the sun. Even just their fragrance is intoxicating.
And roses; the scent of roses with their sweet deeply luscious perfume; the perfume that’s floral and yet at times fruity, evoking feelings of peace and well-being.
Rose is a scent that never fails to capture all that’s wonderous. As such, it’s even used by Aromatherapists to lift the spirit and alleviate depression in their clients.
I must give a note of warning here though. I can’t stress enough just how important it is to use a decent quality rose water for this recipe, after all you only need a very small amount. If you use one of the cheaper options available, don’t be surprised if your Strawberry and Rose Cordial turns out tasting like soap, cheap soap at that. It’s just not worth it, either buy something decent or please don’t use it at all, because it will simply ruin your cordial.
Your Strawberry and Rose Cordial needs balance
Be careful, don’t be heavy-handed with the rose water. The cordial needs to be balanced. As I said you only need a tiny amount of rose water to add a secondary layer of flavour and scent to your drink.
Don’t overwhelm your Strawberry and Rose Cordial
The slightest hint is enough. Otherwise, it will seem as if you’re at the perfume counter at Boots and your Strawberry and Rose Cordial will be overwhelmed by just one single ingredient.
Another thing to be aware of is that different rose water has different strengths. So, I would suggest, initially only adding half the quantity stated in the recipe and then making up a diluted glass of your cordial, to check whether more is needed, before you add the full amount, just in case.
Ingredients
- 300g strawberries
- 150g sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 200ml water
- 1 tsp Rose water
Method
Hull (remove the green leafy part) the strawberries and cut them into quarters.
Put the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and water into a pan, over a medium heat and bring to the boil.
Remove from the heat and leave to rest for about an hour.
Mash the strawberries to a fine pulp. You can do this with a potato masher or a food processor.
Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove the pulp.
Add ½ tsp rose water to the puree and mix.
Pour the puree into a sterilized container and store in the fridge.
To serve your strawberry and rose cordial
First, take a tall glass & fill it 1/3 with ice.
Followed by 3 tablespoons of your delicious Strawberry and Rose Cordial.
Then top up with either cold water, soda water or, my favourite, sparkling mineral water.
*Before serving your first glass of cordial, do a taste test. Taste the diluted drink and see if you need to add the remaining rose water or if it’s good as it is.
Garnish your Strawberry and Rose Cordial
To finish off, mint leaves or a strawberry, or both could be used to garnish your cordial. And of course adding a straw always seems to make a drink seem more special.
I’m sure you’re going to love this drink. It’s an idyllic summer in a glass. Close your eyes and be transported back to those wonderful summers of your childhood when days were sunny, long and carefree.
Your Strawberry and Rose cordial can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.