Orange cordial is a sweet, tart orange concentrate that you can mix with just about anything for a refreshing drink.
I like it with a bit of fizzy water, it reminds me a bit of Orangina. When I was a kid we called it orange squash but regardless of what you want to call it, this is a fabulous drink.
This cordial is a perfect beginner recipe, that delivers delicious results. If you are in a hurry you can use a carton of fresh orange juice from the store to save a bit of time. I rather enjoy reaming oranges. It reminds me of childhood and makes me feel a bit nostalgic. I've noticed that orange reamers are making a comeback!
Directions for canning (bottling) are also listed in the recipe notes so that you can store the bottles in a cupboard rather than refrigerating. This also makes them ideal for gift giving! We really like the Italian made Luigi Bormioli Lock Eat Glass Juice Jar Carafe which can be used for canning!! If you are new to canning we've written an easy to follow guide.
I love how certain flavours can transport you to another time and place. This orange cordial does that for me. When I was a kid, my Grandad would immediately start fussing over me the moment I walked into his flat.He would head over to the cupboard and pull down a bottle of orange squash concentrate that he kept tucked away for his grandchildren. He would swiftly mix up a glass of this sweet, tart beverage and plunk it down in front of me. If I didn't drink it fast enough he would lovingly say "git it daern yer lass, get it daern yer" in his broad Yorkshire accent. For my grandparents, nourishment was a big expression of love and that's what I felt during this exchange of ours.
Today, I did just that, whilst hearing his voice and remembering the love. Cheers Grandad!
Ingredients
- 6 cups sugar
- 4 cups water
- 6 cups orange juice with pulp (10-15 oranges)
- Juice of two lemons
- Zest of two oranges (careful to remove the white pith as this will make the cordial overly bitter)
Instructions
- Make a sugar syrup. In a big pot, add the water and sugar and simmer for ten minutes, stirring often.
- Add the orange juice and lemon juice and simmer for ten more minutes
- optional: carefully pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. This is optional. If you would like a pulpier cordial then you can leave it in.
- Wash your bottles or jars with hot soapy water, rinse well and set them on a clean dish cloth.
- Ladle the cordial into the bottles, wipe the rims thoroughly with a clean cloth and affix the lids. At this stage you can allow the cordial to cool and then refrigerate and use within two weeks. Optionally you can bottle (can) it for long term storage.
CANNING INSTRUCTIONS
Following your canners instructions process the jars for ten minutes. Turn off the heat and carefully remove the lid. Let the jars cool for 10 minutes and then using a jar lifter carefully lift them and place them on a cutting board or towel to cool completely.
If you are new to canning, we’ve written step by step instruction in our Beginner Jam Makers Guide!
Once the jars have cooled for 24 hours, check their seal. You should hear the occasional pinging sound as they are cooling that gives you an auditory confirmation that your jars have sealed. If you look at the lid of the jar, you should notice that there is a small bump in the lids. This bump depresses as the jars seal “sucking it down”. All of the lids should be sucked down. If you press on the center of the lid and that bump pops up, they are not sealed properly. If you should have an issue with a jar not sealing, refrigerate it and eat within a few weeks.
Remove the metal rings and wipe the lids and jars with a damp clean cloth. Store the jars without the rings in a cool dark place.
Notes: do not juice your oranges in the juicer unless you peel them first. You’ll end up with a terribly bitter product. We use a steam canner which is a time saving and convenient way to preserve jams, jellies and pickles. You can learn more about them here.
Posted with love from my blog walkerland.ca with SteemPress : https://www.walkerland.ca/easy-old-fashioned-orange-cordial-recipe/