How to Make Blackberry Cordial With Fizzy Water

Blackberry cordial is a sweet, syrupy liqueur made with blackberries, sugar, and water. It is often flavoured with spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. The cordial can be enjoyed on its own, diluted with water or soda, or used in cocktails.

If you've ever wondered how to transform those juicy, ripe blackberries into a delicious, homemade cordial, then you're in the right place. Here's our recipe!

What is Blackberry Cordial?

Blackberry cordial is a delightful concoction that's been cherished for centuries. It's a sweet, concentrated syrup made from blackberries, sugar, and often a touch of citrus, like lime or lemon. The process of making it involves simmering the blackberries with sugar until they break down into a thick, sweet syrup. This syrup is then strained to remove the seeds and pulp, leaving behind a smooth, rich cordial.

The beauty of blackberry cordial lies in its versatility. It can be used in a variety of ways, from a refreshing drink mixed with sparkling water to a flavourful addition to desserts and cocktails. It's also a fantastic way to preserve the taste of summer blackberries, allowing you to enjoy their flavour long after the season has passed.

Why Make Your Own Blackberry Cordial?

Creating your own blackberry cordial allows you to control the quality of ingredients used. You can opt for organic blackberries and natural sweeteners, ensuring a healthier, preservative-free beverage.

Homemade blackberry cordial can be customised to your taste. Want it sweeter? Add more honey. Prefer a tangier kick? Squeeze in extra lime. The power to tweak the recipe is in your hands.

Making your own cordial also reduces waste. Leftover blackberries from other recipes can be repurposed into a delicious drink, preventing food waste.

It can also be a fun and educational activity for children. It's a great way to introduce them to the joys of cooking and the importance of using fresh ingredients.

Ingredients for Blackberry Cordial

Here are the essential ingredients you'll need to make your own blackberry cordial:

• Blackberries
• Honey
• Lime Juice
• Water
• Sparkling water

Remember, the quality of your ingredients will directly impact the taste of your cordial, so choose fresh, ripe blackberries and high-quality honey for the best results.

Choosing the Best Blackberries

Choosing the best blackberries for your cordial is a crucial step in the process. The quality of your blackberries can significantly impact the taste and overall quality of your cordial. When selecting blackberries, look for ones that are plump, firm, and fully black.

Avoid berries that are dull or have patches of red, as these are signs that the fruit is not fully ripe. Also, steer clear of berries that are soft, mushy, or have signs of mould or bruising. These berries are overripe and can make your cordial taste off.

Blackberries are at their peak from June to September. During these months, they are the juiciest and most flavourful. If you can, try to source your blackberries locally during this time. Local berries are often fresher and have a better taste than those that have been shipped from far away.

If you can't find fresh blackberries, don't worry. You can also use frozen blackberries to make your cordial. Just make sure to thaw them completely before using them. Frozen blackberries are picked and frozen at their peak, so they still have a great taste and are packed with nutrients.

Why Lime Juice?

Lime juice is a crucial ingredient when you make blackberry cordial. It's not just there to add a tangy twist to the sweet and slightly tart blackberries. Lime juice plays a more significant role than you might think.

Firstly, lime juice acts as a natural preservative. The high acidity of lime juice helps to prevent the growth of bacteria and mould, extending the shelf life of your homemade blackberry cordial. This means you can enjoy your cordial for longer without worrying about it going bad.

Secondly, lime juice enhances the flavour of the blackberries. The sharpness of the lime cuts through the sweetness of the blackberries, creating a balanced and refreshing taste. It's this combination of sweet and sour that makes blackberry cordial so irresistible.

Lastly, lime juice adds a vibrant colour to your cordial. The bright green hue of the lime juice contrasts beautifully with the deep purple of the blackberries, resulting in a visually appealing drink that's as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Blackberry Cordial

Ready to make a delicious blackberry lime cordial from scratch? Gather your ingredients and follow these simple steps to create a refreshing and flavourful cordial perfect for any occasion. Let's get started:

Step 1: Preparing the Ingredients

To kickstart your homemade blackberry lime cordial, the first step is to gather and prepare your ingredients. You'll need water, honey, fresh blackberries, and lime juice. The quantities will depend on how much cordial you want to make, but a good starting point is 60g of water, 42g of honey, 85g of blackberries, and 0.18oz of lime juice.

Ensure your blackberries are ripe and free from any blemishes or mould. Wash them thoroughly under cold running water. You don't need to remove the seeds as they will be strained out later.

The quality of your ingredients will directly impact the taste of your cordial, so choose the best you can find. Now that your ingredients are ready, you can move on to the next step: cooking the blackberries.

Step 2: Cooking the Blackberries

The second step in making your homemade blackberry lime cordial is cooking the blackberries. This process is crucial as it helps to extract the juice and flavour from the berries, giving your cordial its distinctive taste.

Start by placing your blackberries in a pot. You can use fresh or frozen berries, depending on what's available. If you're using frozen berries, there's no need to thaw them first. The heat from cooking will do that for you.

Next, add water to the pot. The amount of water you need will depend on the quantity of blackberries you're using. A good rule of thumb is to add enough water to just cover the berries. This will ensure that the berries are properly cooked without diluting their flavour too much.

Now, it's time to bring the mixture to a boil. Turn on the heat to medium and let the mixture come to a boil. This process might take a few minutes, so be patient. Once the mixture starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer.

Allow the mixture to simmer for about 20 minutes. During this time, the blackberries will start to break down and release their juice. You'll notice that the liquid in the pot will start to turn a dark colour. This is a good sign that your blackberries are cooking nicely.

The goal here is to extract as much flavour as possible from the blackberries. So, don't rush this step. Let the blackberries cook slowly and release their juice. This will give your homemade blackberry lime cordial a rich, deep flavour that's sure to impress.

Step 3: Adding the Lime Juice

After you've simmered the blackberries and they've lost their pigmentation, it's time to add the lime juice. This step is crucial in making your homemade blackberry lime cordial as it adds a refreshing tanginess that perfectly balances the sweetness of the blackberries and honey.

To do this, simply squeeze the juice from your limes. You'll need about 0.18 oz of lime juice, which is roughly the juice of half a lime. If you prefer a stronger citrus flavour, feel free to add more.

Once you've squeezed your limes, carefully pour the juice into the pot with the blackberries. Stir the mixture well to ensure the lime juice is evenly distributed throughout the cordial.

The addition of lime juice not only enhances the flavour of your cordial but also acts as a natural preservative, helping to extend the shelf life of your homemade blackberry lime cordial.

Remember, the key to a great cordial is balance. The sweetness of the honey, the tartness of the blackberries, and the zing of the lime should all complement each other, creating a symphony of flavours that will delight your taste buds.

So, don't be afraid to experiment and adjust the quantities to suit your personal taste. After all, the beauty of making your own cordial is that you can tailor it to your liking.

Once you've added the lime juice, give your cordial one final stir, then move on to the next step: storing your cordial.

Step 4: Storing the Cordial

Storing your homemade blackberry lime cordial is the final step in this process, and it's crucial to get it right to ensure the longevity and quality of your cordial.

Once your blackberry lime mixture has cooled down, you'll need to strain it. This step is essential to remove any remaining fruit pulp or seeds that could affect the texture of your cordial. Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to do this.

After straining, you'll be left with a vibrant, fragrant syrup. This is your blackberry lime cordial. It's important to store this cordial in a sterile, sealed container to prevent any contamination. Glass bottles or jars are ideal for this purpose.

Before pouring the cordial into the container, make sure it's completely cool. Pouring hot cordial into a cold container could cause it to crack.

Once the cordial is in the container, seal it tightly. It's now ready to be stored.

The best place to store your homemade blackberry lime cordial is in the refrigerator. The cool temperature will help preserve the cordial and keep it fresh.

Your homemade blackberry lime cordial can be stored in the fridge for up to a month. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy it in various drinks and recipes.

Remember, always use clean utensils when handling your cordial to prevent any potential contamination.

With these storage tips, you can enjoy your homemade blackberry lime cordial for weeks to come. It's a delightful addition to any drink, and the satisfaction of making it yourself is an added bonus.

Step 5: Mix and Serve

Prepare a tall glass with ice and add a small amount of cordial to taste. Top with homemade sparkling water and garnish with mint and a few blackberries for a refreshing treat.  Finally, stir everything together and add some ice. Your Blackberry Lime Soda is ready to enjoy!

Don’t forget - you can order refill cylinders at CO2 YOU. That way, you can enjoy homemade sparkling water for the entire summer! CO2 YOU will deliver 2 or 4 canisters of CO2 for your water maker on subscription - and collect and refill the empty ones. That means you can keep the drinks going all season long. 

This recipe is a great way to use your blackberry cordial, but it's just the beginning. There are countless other recipes you can make with blackberry cordial, so let your creativity run wild!

Other Recipes Using Blackberry Cordial

Blackberry Lime Pancake Drizzle: Swap out your regular maple syrup for a blackberry lime version for a fruity, tangy twist to your breakfast.

Fruit Salad Dressing: Jazz up a simple fruit salad by drizzling some blackberry cordial over your favourite fruits for an extra burst of flavour.

Cocktail Mix: Shake up your cocktail game by adding blackberry cordial to your favourite alcoholic beverages. Try it with gin or vodka for a refreshing summer cocktail.

Iced Tea Sweetener: Brew your favourite tea, let it cool, add a generous splash of your blackberry cordial, and voila! You've got a refreshing iced tea.

Ice Cream Topping: Take your dessert to the next level! Drizzle blackberry cordial over vanilla ice cream for an irresistible and refreshing treat.

Blackberry Lime Fruit Roll-Ups: Blend the leftover blackberry and lime pulp from your cordial-making process to make homemade fruit roll-ups.

Blackberry Lime Soda: Add your cordial to a tall glass with ice and top it with homemade sparkling water made by your trusty soda maker. Garnish with lime slices and blackberries.

Wrapping Up

With our free recipe, you can now make blackberry lime soda with homemade blackberry cordial, a refreshing drink that will impress your guests.

Remember, the key to a successful homemade blackberry cordial lies in the quality of your ingredients, particularly the blackberries and lime juice.

To keep making your homemade soda, why not subscribe to CO2 YOU? We'll deliver canisters for your soda maker directly to your door!