I love the sight of meadowsweet adorning roadside ditches, river banks and as the name suggests, water meadows. The long stems with the cream-coloured puffs of flowers look like sticks of candy floss.  

Meadowsweet can have an unpleasant antiseptic flavour but that is mostly in the stem and leaves. If you use the flowers carefully you will get lovely honey and vanilla-like notes. Use it how you would elderflower really! 

It’s also a great medicinal plant and has been used to help with gastro problems, colds, arthritis and rheumatism. 

Meadowsweet Cordial

Adapted from https://craftinvaders.co.uk/meadowsweet-cordial/  

Makes 2 bottles worth 

Ingredients

• One large bunch of meadowsweet – around 30 heads 

• 2 litres water 

• 500g sugar 

• 3 lemons, juiced 

Method

• Bring the water to the boil and add half of the sugar, stirring to dissolve it.

• Add the lemon juice, then remove from the heat. 

• Strip the flowers from their stems and add to the water, removing any stems or leaves that make their way into the pan. 

• Return the pan to the heat, and bring back to a simmer.  

• When it reaches simmering point, remove the pan and give the pan a good stir. 

• Cover and leave to steep overnight. 

• The next day, strain out the flowers using a muslin cloth. 

• Add the remaining sugar and boil for 5 minutes, stirring to dissolve it. Remove from the heat and allow to cool a little. 

• Sterilise your glass bottles and decant the liquid into them. Seal and allow to cool. 

• The cordial will keep for 1 month in the fridge.