The season is short, so smell them, pick them and drink them as much as possible. This is a beautiful cordial that you dilute with water, tonic or mix a cocktail with.

You need the following

• About 30 Lilac flower panicles. The colour and flavour will come out darker and stronger if you have some darker flowers with lots of smell.
• 40 grams citric acid
• 1,5 kg granulated sugar
• 1,5 litre water
• 4 scrubbed sliced lemons

This is how you make a Lilac Cordial

1. Boil water and mix with the granulated sugar until it is totally dissolved. Remove from heat and add the citric acid. Mix.
2. Add the flower heads and then the sliced lemon on top in a heat proof jar or some other container.
3. Pour the hot water mix over the lilacs and lemon and then let it all cool off. Leave for 3-4 days in a fridge.
4. Use a mesh strainer to get rid of all the lilacs and lemons. Keep the syrup in a sterilized bottle in the fridge.

Enjoy! Dilute with water or use it in cocktails with some tonic.

Recipe and photo Malin Nordblom