How to Make Blackcurrant Cordial With Sparkling Water

Blackcurrant cordial is a delightful, refreshing beverage that's made from the juice of blackcurrants, sugar, and water. It's a concentrate, which means it's typically diluted with water or sparkling water before drinking. The cordial is known for its rich, tart flavour and deep purple colour, which comes from the blackcurrants themselves. It's a popular drink here in the UK, often associated with summer and outdoor gatherings.

Let's take a look at how to make your own blackcurrant cordial!

Why Make Your Own Blackcurrant Cordial?

Making your own blackcurrant cordial is a great way to utilise the fresh blackcurrants from your community garden or local farmers market, transforming them into a delightful summer drink. This homemade blackcurrant cordial is free from artificial sweeteners and preservatives, unlike many store-bought versions.

The process of making cordial is relatively simple and quick, taking only about 15 minutes. The end result is a concentrate that can be diluted to taste, offering a refreshing and natural alternative to commercial beverages.

Here's what you'll need:

• Blackcurrants: These tart fruits are the star of the show, providing the cordial's distinctive flavour and vibrant colour. They're also packed with vitamin C and natural pectin, which helps the cordial set.
• Caster Sugar: This ingredient sweetens the cordial, balancing out the tartness of the blackcurrants. It also acts as a preservative, helping the cordial last longer.
• Lemon Juice or Citric Acid: This adds a tangy kick to the cordial and also acts as a natural preservative, extending the cordial's shelf life.
• Sparkling Water: You can dilute your cordial with fizzy water (made in a fizzy drinks maker) to create a more refreshing drink. 

How to Make Blackcurrant Cordial: A Step-by-Step Guide

Quality ingredients are key to a delicious cordial. So, make sure your blackcurrants are fresh and ripe, and your lemon is juicy.

1. Preparing the Blackcurrants

Before you start the cooking process, you'll need to prepare your blackcurrants. Begin by removing the stalks from the blackcurrants. This can be a bit tedious, but it's a necessary step to ensure a smooth cordial. After de-stalking, give the blackcurrants a good wash to remove any dirt or bugs.

Next, you'll need to clean the blackcurrants. This is an important step as blackcurrants are known to be packed with natural pectin, which can cause your cordial to set into a jelly-like consistency if not properly cleaned.

Once your blackcurrants are clean, you're ready to start the cooking process. Remember, the key to a successful homemade blackcurrant cordial is in the preparation. So take your time and make sure your blackcurrants are well-prepared before you start cooking.

2. The Cooking Process

The cooking process for homemade blackcurrant cordial is straightforward yet requires attention to detail. Begin by adding the prepared blackcurrants to a pot, along with the citric acid. This ingredient is crucial for preserving the cordial, ensuring it remains fresh for longer.

Next, heat the mixture to boiling point. This step is essential to extract the rich, tangy flavour from the blackcurrants. As the mixture boils, gradually add granulated sugar. The amount of sugar you add depends on your taste preference. If you prefer a sour cordial, add less sugar.

Once the sugar is fully dissolved, strain the mixture through a sieve. This step removes the remaining pulp and seeds, leaving you with a smooth, velvety cordial. Some people prefer to push a few bits through the sieve for added texture.

3. Bottling and Storing Your Cordial

After the cooking process, allow your homemade blackcurrant cordial to cool for about 10 minutes. During this time, sterilise a glass bottle to ensure it's free from any bacteria that could spoil your cordial.

Once the cordial has cooled, strain it through a fine sieve to remove any remaining pulp. This step is crucial to achieving a smooth, clear cordial.

Next, pour the cordial into the sterilised bottle. Be careful during this step, as the vibrant colour of the cordial can stain.

4. Serving and Enjoying Your Cordial

After allowing the cordial to cool down, gently combine it with sparkling water in a glass filled with ice. Savour the refreshing beverage on a warm day or whenever you're in the mood for a delightful, fizzy treat.

Health Benefits of Blackcurrants

Blackcurrants are packed with health benefits, making them a nutritious addition to your diet. Here are some of the key advantages:

1. Rich in Vitamin C: Blackcurrants contain high levels of vitamin C, which boosts the immune system, aids in collagen production, and promotes healthy skin.

2. Antioxidant Powerhouse: They are loaded with antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which help protect the body against oxidative stress and reduce inflammation.

3. Heart Health: The antioxidants in blackcurrants may help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, and improve overall cardiovascular health.

4. Supports Eye Health: Blackcurrants contain high levels of vitamin A and other compounds that support eye health and may help prevent age-related macular degeneration and other vision issues.

5. Anti-inflammatory Properties: The anti-inflammatory properties of blackcurrants can help reduce symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

6. Boosts Immune Function: The combination of vitamin C, antioxidants, and other nutrients in blackcurrants can enhance the body's immune response, helping to fend off illnesses.

7. Improves Digestion: Blackcurrants are a good source of dietary fibre, which aids in digestion and helps maintain a healthy gut.

8. Supports Brain Health: Some studies suggest that the antioxidants in blackcurrants may have neuroprotective effects, potentially improving cognitive function and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

9. Aids in Weight Management: With their low-calorie content and high fiber levels, blackcurrants can help you feel full longer, aiding in weight management and preventing overeating.

10. Skin Health: The vitamins and antioxidants in blackcurrants promote healthy skin by protecting it from damage and supporting the production of collagen. 

Common Issues in Making Blackcurrant Cordial

In the process of making homemade blackcurrant cordial, you may encounter a few challenges:

Dealing with Remain Pulp

The beauty of homemade blackcurrant cordial lies in its rustic charm. So, a few bits of pulp here and there won't harm. In fact, it might just make your cordial more enjoyable. After all, it's all about personal preference. If you love those little bits, go ahead and add them in.

Adjusting the Acidity of Your Cordial

Citric acid is a common ingredient in adjusting the acidity of your homemade blackcurrant cordial. The goal is to strike a balance between sweetness and acidity, so adjust according to your taste.

Storing and Preserving Your Cordial

Storing your homemade blackcurrant cordial properly is crucial to maintaining its freshness and flavour. After bottling, it's best to keep the cordial refrigerated. The sugar content acts as a natural preservative, allowing the cordial to last for a good while. However, the exact duration it can be stored for can vary. If you notice any changes in taste or smell, it's best to discard the cordial and make a fresh batch.

Calories In Homemade Cordial vs Storebought

The calorie content of homemade cordial can vary greatly depending on the recipe used. Here are some factors that affect the calories:

• Sugar Content: This is the biggest factor. Recipes with more sugar will naturally have more calories.
• Blackcurrant Content: Blackcurrants themselves have some natural sugar, but not a significant amount.
• Other Ingredients: Some recipes might use additional ingredients like lemon juice or herbs, which would have minimal impact on calories.

A low sugar recipe will have around 20-30 calories per serving, while a standard recipe has around 80-120 calories per serving (depending on serving size and sugar quantity).

Storebought cordials generally have a more consistent calorie content because the recipe is standardised. Expect around 50-70 calories per 100ml serving (depending on the brand)

Here are some tips for making a lower-calorie homemade blackcurrant cordial:

• Use alternative sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit extract.
• Reduce the overall amount of sugar in the recipe.
• Dilute the cordial with more water when serving.

Embrace the Joy of Making Your Own Blackcurrant Cordial

Once you've made your blackcurrant cordial, you can add it to your delicious soda water from your machine to create a refreshing summer drink. And remember, CO2 YOU will deliver canisters directly to your door, so you never have to go without soda water again!