Blackcurrant cordial

Makes about 2 litres

I freeze it by the bag and it generally remains soft enough to scoop out by the spoonful to avoid defrosting the whole bag. It makes delicious jelly, ice-lollies & Kir Royale.

1kg blackcurrants

2 litres water

1kg sugar

• Wash the blackcurrants by covering them with water in a basin and draining off the flotsam and jetsam that floats to the surface. No need to remove stalks.

• Put them in a pan with 2 litres of water. Put on medium heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

• Strain through a sieve and compost the pulp.

• Add the sugar to the juice, stir and return to a gentle heat to fully dissolve.

• Allow to cool then bag and freeze to use all year.

• Once defrosted, store cordial in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.