Peach and raspberry cordial
<p>Lighter in sugar than store-bought cordials and packed full of flavour, homemade cordial is a delicious reminder of summer. Serve this Melba-inspired cordial with soda water and a sprig of mint, or use it instead of orange juice in a mimosa.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Makes:</span></strong> about 8 cups</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>375g (about 2 ½ cups) raspberries (fresh or frozen)</li>
<li>1.5kg peaches, stones removed, coarsely chopped</li>
<li>3 ½ cups sugar</li>
<li>¼ – ½ cup lemon juice</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Put the raspberries and ½ cup of water in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, simmer for 2 minutes, then mash until pulpy. Strain the mixture through a fine or muslin cloth into a large bowl.</li>
<li>Put the peaches and 1 cup of water in the same saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until pulpy (10-15 minutes). Mash well, then pour into the muslin on top of the draining raspberries. Stand for an hour (or until the dripping has stopped), then squeeze to extract more juice.</li>
<li>Combine the juice in a large saucepan and stir over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved. Add ¼ cup of lemon juice and taste. Add more lemon juice if you prefer the cordial more tart.</li>
<li>Bring the juice to the boil and boil for 2 minutes. Pour the hot syrup into hot, sterilised bottles and seal immediately. Label and date the bottles once cold. Store in the fridge for up to 3 months.</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> When making jelly, never squeeze the muslin that the fruit drains through as this will result in a cloudy jelly. A “proper jelly” should be crystal clear. However, when making syrups and cordials, squeeze the bag as much as you like to extract all the lovely juices.</p>
<p><em>Written by Alice Arundell. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p>
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<p><strong>Related links:</strong></p>
<p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/03/martini/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Martini</span></em></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/03/blood-orange-margaritas/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Blood orange margaritas</span></strong></em></a></p>
<p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/02/month-of-love-cocktail/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A love potion cocktail</span></strong></em></a></p>
