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Saturday, 15 August 2015

Bramble and Vanilla Cordial


The blackberries have only just flowered here in Scotland, little berries are starting to form but I certainly haven't seen any fully ripened berries in the hedgerow yet.  However, I always freeze some berries and my freezer harvest is perfect for making this delicious fruity cordial which is delicious served with water, sparkling water or including in alcoholic cocktails.  It's also really easy to make and much less expensive than the high end fruit cordials that I often buy.

Bramble and Vanilla Cordial
makes just over a litre

1kg blackberries
1.5l cold water
500g sugar
1 vanilla pod


  1. Rinse the blackberries in a colander, then place in a large pan (I use my pressure cooker, without the lid) with the water.  
  2. Bring to the boil and boil for 10 minutes.
  3. Use a jelly bag, muslin or a clean tea towel and strain the fruit over a clean bowl.  Do not squeeze the bag as it will make the cordial cloudy.
  4. While the juice is straining, sterilise your bottles.  Either rinse thoroughly in cold water then place in a low oven for 30 minutes, or use a proprietary sterilising solution and follow the instructions.
  5. Return the juice to the cleaned pan and add the sugar and the vanilla pod, unopened as you don't want the seeds in the cordial, heat gently stirring until the sugar has dissolved, then bring to the boil. Skim off any froth on the top and simmer vigorously for 10 minutes. 
  6. Remove the vanilla pod, rinse and dry for future use, and pour the cordial into sterilised bottles.
  7. The cordial will keep for up to three months.

What I really like about this cordial, is that there is still a little sharpness from the blackberries and the vanilla just tempers it, without the cordial needing to be further sweetened.




If you are looking for more blackberry recipes or would like to share your own recipes, then join me and Karen from Lavender and Lovage for:

The Great British Blackberry Recipe Round Up

You don't have to be British to join in and you can use fresh, frozen, canned or any other kind of blackberries that you can get your hands on. It's very simple, here is what to do:


  • Post your recipe on your blog with a link to Farmersgirl Kitchen and Lavender and Lovage and attach the Great British Blackberry Recipe Round-Up logo as shown above.
  • If you put your post on twitter please mention @FarmersgirlCook  @KarenBurnsBooth and #GBBR in your message and we will retweet all those we see.
  • By entering you are agreeing to let us use an image from your entry on this site, and to pin to Pinterest.
  • Please be respectful of  other people's copyright and give credit where it is due. 
  • Add your recipe link to the live Linky posted at the bottom of this page.
  • Closing date 18th September 2015

Labels: , , , , , , ,

posted by Janice @ 20:50

20 Comments:

At 16 August 2015 at 11:25 , Blogger Unknown said...

this looks and sounds stunning!... I adore cordials but blackberry and vanilla.. win win!

 
At 18 August 2015 at 19:36 , Anonymous Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours said...

Lovely combination of flavours. I do enjoy homemade cordials, so much better than shop bought however "posh" they are.

 
At 18 August 2015 at 22:07 , Blogger Munchies and Munchkins said...

I agree, the combo sounds delicious. I'd love this in a cocktail.x

 
At 19 August 2015 at 09:04 , Blogger Unknown said...

Love the idea of adding vanilla into a fruity cordial, off to pin this recipe for prosperity! :)
Janie x

 
At 19 August 2015 at 12:14 , Anonymous Sisley White said...

This looks wonderful Janice! I can't wait to make some. x

 
At 19 August 2015 at 12:28 , Blogger Galina Varese said...

Fab recipe, Janice! I love cordials. Pinned for inspiration

 
At 19 August 2015 at 19:48 , Blogger Janice said...

Thanks Dom, I'm really into cordials now that I've drastically reduced my alcohol intake!

 
At 19 August 2015 at 21:16 , Blogger Janice said...

Thanks Helen, we are enjoying it.

 
At 19 August 2015 at 21:19 , Blogger Janice said...

Thanks, I think it would make a delicious cocktail.

 
At 19 August 2015 at 21:22 , Blogger Janice said...

Aw thanks Janie, I hope you enjoy it.

 
At 19 August 2015 at 21:23 , Blogger Janice said...

I'm glad you like it Sisley, hope you find some good blackberries to make some.

 
At 19 August 2015 at 21:25 , Blogger Janice said...

Thanks Galina!

 
At 23 August 2015 at 13:51 , Blogger Cakeyboi said...

Ooh, you could go into business with that stuff. Looks really refreshing and full of flavour x

 
At 24 August 2015 at 22:00 , Blogger Janice said...

One bottle finished, two to go, then I will have to go into production, Stuart!

 
At 26 August 2015 at 20:13 , Blogger Jacqueline Meldrum said...

I didn't realise cordial was so simple to make. I would never have thought of making my own. Bet it tastes lush. It would be amazing in a cocktail with prosecco too.

 
At 26 August 2015 at 21:17 , Blogger Janice said...

It is easy to make, Jac. I'm going to be making a lot more flavours.

 
At 1 September 2015 at 08:04 , Blogger Sarah James said...

What a delicious cordial recipe Janice, I love the addition of vanilla. Can't wait for more of my blackberries to ripen.

 
At 5 September 2015 at 08:00 , Blogger Choclette said...

Your cordial sounds delicious Janice and it looks so pretty too all bottled and labelled.

 
At 12 September 2015 at 20:34 , Blogger A Green and Rosie Life said...

Mmmm - the addition of vanilla sounds divine. I might try it in other blackberry recipes too. #GBBR

 
At 16 September 2015 at 22:09 , Blogger Lucy Bakingqueen74 said...

Love the sound of this cordial, I may need to add gin though!

 

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I love to read your comments and try to reply when I can. I have had to enable comment moderation due to high levels of spam, so it may take a little time before your comment is visible. Please let me know if you make one of my recipes or if you have any questions I will try to answer them. Janice

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