Foraged or cultivated blackberries are ideal for making this fruity Blackberry and Vanilla Cordial. You can use fresh or frozen blackberries and a whole vanilla pod, It has a rich blackberry flavour is easy to make and much less expensive than the high-end fruit cordials and you know exactly what went into it.
I love to forage for blackberries or brambles as we like to call them. I’m fortunate that our farm has plenty of hedgerows close to the farmhouse, so I don’t have any difficulty gathering enough blackberries for crumbles, jams, trifles, and pies.
However, most years I gather so many blackberries that I don’t know what to do with them all. Somehow, I can’t leave free food and feel I have to gather them up and make something. I often buy premium cordials and they are really quite expensive, so I thought I’d try to make my own cordial. Blackberry and Vanilla Cordial can be diluted with still or sparkling cold water, it also makes a sweet and warming hot drink, similar to a blackcurrant cordial. The cordial is also a lovely addition to cocktails, add it to sparkling wine to create a cocktail a bit like a Kir Royale.
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Sloe Cordial is a non-alcoholic cordial that is easy to make with foraged sloe berries. It is not too sweet and makes a great gift for Christmas or at any time of year
Blackberry and Vanilla Cordial
Ingredients
- 1 kg blackberries
- 1.5 l cold water
- 500 g sugar
- 1 vanilla pod
Instructions
- Rinse the blackberries in a colander, then place in a large pan (I use my pressure cooker, without the lid) with the water.
- Bring to the boil and boil for 10 minutes.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Remove the vanilla pod, rinse and dry for future use, and pour the cordial into sterilised bottles.
Notes
What I really like about this Blackberry and Vanilla 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.
belleau kitchen says
this looks and sounds stunning!… I adore cordials but blackberry and vanilla.. win win!
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Dom, I'm really into cordials now that I've drastically reduced my alcohol intake!
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
Lovely combination of flavours. I do enjoy homemade cordials, so much better than shop bought however "posh" they are.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Helen, we are enjoying it.
Munchies and Munchkins says
I agree, the combo sounds delicious. I'd love this in a cocktail.x
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, I think it would make a delicious cocktail.
Jane Sarchet says
Love the idea of adding vanilla into a fruity cordial, off to pin this recipe for prosperity! 🙂
Janie x
Janice Pattie says
Aw thanks Janie, I hope you enjoy it.
Sisley White says
This looks wonderful Janice! I can't wait to make some. x
Janice Pattie says
I'm glad you like it Sisley, hope you find some good blackberries to make some.
Galina Varese says
Fab recipe, Janice! I love cordials. Pinned for inspiration
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Galina!
Stuart Vettese says
Ooh, you could go into business with that stuff. Looks really refreshing and full of flavour x
Janice Pattie says
One bottle finished, two to go, then I will have to go into production, Stuart!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
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.
Janice Pattie says
It is easy to make, Jac. I'm going to be making a lot more flavours.
Sarah James says
What a delicious cordial recipe Janice, I love the addition of vanilla. Can't wait for more of my blackberries to ripen.
Choclette Blogger says
Your cordial sounds delicious Janice and it looks so pretty too all bottled and labelled.
Eco Gites of Lénault says
Mmmm – the addition of vanilla sounds divine. I might try it in other blackberry recipes too. #GBBR
Lucy Allen says
Love the sound of this cordial, I may need to add gin though!
Paula says
Could i add ginger or cinnamon to this instead of vanilla? New to all of this.:)
Janice Pattie says
Hi Paula
Yes, you can add other flavourings to the cordial or simply leave it out. I would suggest that you use cinnamon sticks or fresh root ginger and cook along with the blackberries. They would then be caught when straining the juices. Powdered spices would not make the cordial cloudy and may sink to the bottom of the bottle.