As regular readers of our blog may know, picking elderflowers has become an annual event in the Bannister family and one which is keenly awaited by the grandchildren. This year, it was January when the first request to go elderflower picking was made.

They’re in full bloom around the Yorkshire countryside at the moment which means a constant driving distraction. It’s difficult not to drive past hedgerows containing the largest elderflower bushes without contemplating how many bottles could be made from it.

In recent years, we’ve been trying to make sure we set a weekend day aside, preferably a sunny one, to set out in search of the freshest elderflowers we can find.

The children hugely look forward to heading out into the fields, to pick the creamy white, perfumed flowers and piling all of the old baskets high before heading back to the farm and watching (sometimes helping) dad work his magic by turning the whole lot into a delicious cordial.

You really can’t beat the taste of fresh, homemade Elderflower Cordial. It really is summer in a glass. The only downside is, when it’s gone (and it certainly doesn’t last long in our respective households), you have to wait a whole year before you can make some more.

If you fancy making some yourself, Dad’s shared his Elderflower Cordial recipe on our recipes page. Why not have a go? We’d love to know how you get on – let us know what you think?

Zoe