Ingredients

1kg (2lb) strawberries

500ml (2 cups) water

2 tsp lemon juice

600g (1 1/4 lb) caster sugar

Method

1. Rinse the strawberries and take away any leaves.

2. Purée the strawberries with the water and lemon juice in a food processor. Transfer to the fridge and leave for 48 hours.

3. Line a sieve with muslin and strain the mixture through it.

4. Put the juice into a clean pan and add the sugar.

5. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved.

6. Boil for 3 minutes, skimming the scum from surface with a spoon.

7. Put the hot liquid into sterilized bottles. Store in a cupboard and, when opened, in your fridge. Sterilize bottles by washing and then placing in an oven at 120°C (240°F, gas 1) for five minutes.

Always wash strawberries before using in any recipe. Photo: Heiko Junge/TT

Serving suggestions

• Dilute to taste with cold water, about one part cordial to six parts water.
• Serve with lots of ice and garnish with mint if desired.
• Use the cordial in a salad dressing instead of honey.
• Add to water when boiling root vegetables to give them a little extra sweetness.
• Mix with some elderflower cordial and sparkling wine to make a cold summery soup. Garnish with sliced strawberries and crème fraîche.
• Top with boiling water for a pleasant hot winter drink.
• Dilute with water and freeze to make ice lollies.
• Add to sparkling water or sparkling wine to make a delightful summery drink. 

Other tips

• Look out in kitchen shops for a handy little stand for straining. They hold the muslin at the top and it makes straining so much easier.
• Replace some of the strawberries with rhubarb to make rhubarb and strawberry cordial, a classic combination.

This recipe was originally published on food writer John Duxbury's Swedish Food website.