Drinks

Dandelion and burdock cordial recipe

Makes approx 700ml
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Is there a more nostalgic pairing than dandelion and burdock? Discover the joys of making your own at home with our dandelion and burdock cordial recipe. It’s the perfect addition to a summer spritzer or wellbeing cocktail. Serve with a fizzy water or tonic for a refreshing pop.

You can either forage your own dandelion and burdock roots, or simply buy them from your local health food shop or online.

Dandelions are often considered to be a pesky weed in our gardens, but they actually have a number of benefits for our health. Dandelion is a natural diuretic. As a result, consuming dandelion (such as a tea) has long been recommended by herbalists as a remedy for water retention and cellulite. We may experience water retention during periods of hormonal fluctuation or after long periods of inactivity, such as during a flight. In these cases, dandelion tea may help to deflate puffy legs, ankles, hands and feet. The dandelion’s diuretic quality is down to a high potassium content. Potassium tells the kidneys to pass more sodium and water from the body.

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Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp dandelion root (fresh or dry)
  • 3 tbsp burdock root (fresh or dry)
  • 6cm fresh ginger root, roughly chopped
  • 3 star anise, crushed
  • 800ml water
  • 250ml honey, or 300g dark brown sugar

Method

  1. Add the roots, ginger and star anise to a large pan with the water and bring it up to the boil. Simmer over a medium-low heat for around 20 minutes until the roots have infused and the water is coloured.
  2. Strain the liquid through a cloth or very fine sieve. Add the liquid back into the pan and add the honey or sugar, upping the quantity depending on how sweet you want it (remember, it will be diluted). Continue heating until the honey or sugar has dissolved and the liquid is thickening into a syrupy cordial.
  3. Pour into a clean jar or two and keep in the fridge (the more sugar you’ve added, the longer it will last). Serve with fizzy water or tonic, or use as an interesting flavour for cocktails.