Nettle tree cordial

Name: Nettle tree cordial
Total time: 1 h
Yield: ± 400 ml
Ingredients: 500 g ripe European nettle tree fruits; 600 ml water; ± 200 g sugar; 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Updated on 10 October 2026

Makes: ± 400 ml
Time: 1 hr
From: European nettle tree

Ingredients

500 g ripe European nettle tree fruits
600 ml water
± 200 g sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Method

Rinse the fruits and remove the stalks.
Bring them to the boil with the water and simmer gently for 30 minutes with the lid on.
Crush them with a potato masher: this loosens the flesh while the stones stay whole. Do not use a stick blender, as it would grind the stones.
Pour everything into a sieve lined with a clean cloth over a bowl and leave to drain; gently squeeze the cloth at the end. Measure the juice: allow about 500 g sugar per litre.
Bring the juice to the boil with the sugar, stir until the sugar has dissolved and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and pour the hot cordial into a clean, hot bottle.

Storing: Unopened, 2 months in the fridge; once opened, use within a month. Dilute with still or sparkling water, or pour a dash over yoghurt or pancakes.