A chamomile cordial is a quietly useful bottle to have in the fridge: a concentrated, honeyed flower syrup that becomes an instant evening cup with hot water, a gentle long drink with soda, or a drizzle over fruit and ice cream. Caffeine-free, and a covered steep holds onto the soft floral aroma rather than cooking it off.
Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for the Chamomile Flowers Cordial Base recipe. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/recipes/camomile-tea/chamomile-flowers-cordial-base/
It uses Teapigs Chamomile Flowers, a pure caffeine-free flower infusion. Fifteen minutes, and it makes about 500ml.
You'll need
- 6 Teapigs Chamomile Flowers tea temples
- 400ml water
- 220g caster sugar
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 strip of lemon zest
Method
- Boil the water and pour over the 6 temples in a covered jug, then steep 8 minutes so the chamomile gives up its full honeyed flavour.
- Lift the temples out and pour the strong brew into a pan with the sugar and lemon zest.
- Stir over low heat just until the sugar dissolves; do not boil hard or the gentle floral note cooks off.
- Take off the heat, stir in the lemon juice, and leave to infuse 10 minutes.
- Strain out the zest and pour into a clean bottle. Hot cup: 1 part base to 4 parts just boiled water. Gentle soda: 1 part base, 4 parts cold soda. Also lovely over fruit.
- Keeps 2 weeks in the fridge; caffeine free, so good last thing at night.
Want the background, not just the brew?
Brewed with: Teapigs Chamomile Flowers, 15 Tea Bags 37.5g
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