“Hannah, that’s not yours, it’s to share.”
It’s been a fair few years since I heard this uttered. Said to me throughout my younger years, and always in relation to food. Then last week I heard it again. And I can confirm, it’s a bit embarrassing to have your greediness called out by colleagues.
My job is pretty cool. Don’t get me wrong — sometimes it’s bloody hard, and the hours can be long, but we do get to do some very fun and interesting stuff. Like last week when I went to a food tasting with a client, and spent the day eating new things they might like to launch.
I stuffed myself silly with lots of indulgent dishes, and between each we guzzled pitcher after pitcher of this creation — a sparkling drink of elderflower, mint and cucumber. Or as I like to call it, the English refresher, on account of its ingredients being able to be grown in the garden. Apart from the soda water, which is from the supermarket.
It’s a drink that will quench your thirst and then some. Light and refreshing it’s great on the table with dinner, or a vat kept in the fridge to reach for instead of juice or water. But be warned, it’s terribly gluggable and it’s really only fair it’s shared so it can be truly appreciated. Or so I’m told.
For a jug of this good stuff
- 1l soda water
- 150ml elderflower cordial
- 1/4 of a cucumber, cut lengthways and then in to matchsticks — so you keep the dark green ends as in the pic
- A couple of handfuls fresh mint leaves
- Ice
Method
- Place the cordial, cucumber and mint in to the bottom of a jug and pour the soda over the top - stirring to mix. Then top with a generous amount of ice (if you’re serving straight away).
- Start again. I’m not kidding — this stuff is that good.
Top tip
If you fancy making a night-time version of the drink, switch the elderflower cordial for elderflower liqueur. Hic.