Photo: Sten Porse, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

Syrup · From Bladwijzer

Hawthorn blossom cordial

Updated on 9 October 2026

• Makes: ± 700 ml
• Time: 20 min + 24 hrs steeping
• From: Midland hawthorn

Ingredients

• 2 large handfuls of fresh hawthorn blossom (± 40 g, without stalks)
• 500 ml water
• 500 g sugar
• 1 unwaxed lemon

Method

1. Shake the blossom to remove any insects and pick the flowers off the thick stalks. Do not rinse them.
2. Bring the water and sugar to the boil until the sugar has dissolved and leave to cool until lukewarm.
3. Slice the lemon. Put the blossom and lemon in a clean jar and pour the lukewarm syrup over.
4. Cover and leave to steep for 24 hours in a cool place. Stir now and then.
5. Strain through a fine cloth and squeeze out the blossom.
6. Bring the cordial briefly to the boil and pour it hot into clean, sterilised bottles. Seal at once.

Storing: Unopened, 6 months in a cool, dark place; once opened, in the fridge. Dilute 1 part cordial with 5 to 8 parts water, or use it in desserts.