“…there’s a half full bottle of raspberry cordial that was left over from the church social the other night. It’s on the second shelf of the sitting-room closet and you and Diana can have it if you like, and cookie to eat with it along with it in the afternoon.”
“Diana poured herself out a tumblerful, looked at its bright-red hue admiringly, and then sipped it daintily. ‘That’s awfully nice raspberry cordial, Anne,’ she said ‘I didn’t know raspberry cordial was so nice.’ “
What girl who is a fan of Anne (with an “e”) hasn’t dreamed of raspberry cordial (and not current wine) at some point? Since I wasn’t a red-head I used to pretend that Anne was my big sister growing up! Come to think of it though I could have been her window friend, I am Katie after all. Sometimes I think my imagination was more active than her’s which is saying something! Yes, I did have a window friend.
Anne Shirley found a dear place in a corner of my heart years ago and I doubt she will ever leave. My mom read to us almost every night growing up, Anne was one of the series we enjoyed. I was a huge fan of the movies as well even if they didn’t follow the books very well. Just not the third one thankyouverymuch, sadly there are some things that just can’t be unseen… If we agree on this we might just be kindred spirits!
To say I have a bit of an obsession with all things Anne might be putting it mildly. Birthdays were filled with “Anne” gifts in the form of t-shirts, flower presses, handkerchiefs and even a Anne doll. For those of you wondering, no I don’t wear the Anne shirt anymore. My dream home is “Green Gables” (with plumbing added) with the orchard, garden and cattle to go with it. Someday I WILL go to P.E.IĀ (Prince Edward Island for those of you that don’t know). I even have the soundtrack for the movie, which *might* be playing as I write this.
Raspberry cordial has always been an alluring drink. That sparking red elixir that tragically happened to be currant wine… It really should have been included in my tea cookbook, somehow it evaded me though and it missed being added. Happy for you all though that I means I get to share it with you today!
As I scoured the internet comparing various recipes it occurred to me that the real raspberry cordial must have been lightly fermented when it was made years ago, otherwise a half full bottle couldn’t have stayed fresh on a shelf, even if it was in a dark and somewhat cool place. Sure enough some recipes I found were fermented. I thought of experimenting with it myself but instead I opted for a quick and simple cordial that can be ready the same day. At some point in the future I do hope to make a lacto-fermented raspberry cordial but until then I am quite happy with this sparkling gem.
This recipe for Marilla’s raspberry cordial is a concentrate. It can be mixed with 1 part cordial to 1 part water or for a fun twist mix it with mineral water for a bubbley twist!
Marilla's Raspberry Cordial
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh or frozen raspberries
- 5 cups water
- 1/4 cup white sugar (organic is prefered)
Instructions
- Wash your berries, removing any steams or leaves. Place them in a 2-3 quart sauce pan.
- Add the water and sugar. Bring to a low simmer over medium/low heat. Cook for 30 minutes.
- Strain through a fine strainer or cheese cloth to remove the pulp and seeds.
- Pour into a quart size glass jar. Store in the fridge for up to a week.
- To serve mix 1 part cordial with 1 part water or mineral water.
This post is part of Homestead Barn Hop, Hearth and Soul,
Hi Katie! I was so excited to see a link to your site from Elsie’s Tea and Ink Society! Fun, fun, fun! Thanks!
http://teaandinksociety.com/recipes-inspired-by-famous-books/
š How fun, I’m glad that you did!
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I am also an ANNE fan….Its my favorite movie. And P.E.I. is my favorite place on this earth…I have been 5 times. I hope it works out for you to get to go sometimes, you would love it. Its sooo beautiful there! God Bless you!
You’re welcome! Yup, someday I will! š
I have had so much fun skimming back through the books preparing for a bridal shower with a Green Gables theme. I totally read the books as a kid (and as a teenager and as an adult :)) I am so with you on the 3rd movie.
Trying out your recipe tonight! Thank you, Katie!
Thank you for trying it.:) I love that you are doing a Green Gables themed shower! Have fun!
This looks delicious, perfect for Summer.
I was wondering why this sounded familiar! Blast from my childhood past…
Beautiful! I love raspberry drinks!
Do you strain the seeds out?
Yes you do, thanks for pointing that out. You will notice the correction above.
Love it.
I love making food or drinks from our favorite movies. I made a raspberry lemonade using real raspberries, lemons & raw honey and called it raspberry cordial.
I made crisp apple strudel like in The Sound of Music song and I hope to make schnitzel and noodles next.
Your drink sounds amazing! š It is so much fun making recipes from favourite movies and books!
So this doesn’t have to be strained or blended or anything? Sweet!
I, too, am a huge “Anne” fan. I read all of the Anne books many times over as a child. Can’t wait to start sharing the books and this recipe with my daughter!
Jenny, I am sorry, it does need to be strained… I made the correction. I hope that your daughter loves the books!
This is SOOO fun!
I love these books and our girls would think this is really fun to make…thank you!
Thank you Kara! I hope they enjoy it!