Strawberry Water (or Strawberry Cordial)

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

• 300 g strawberries, ripe and unblemished, washed and hulled, with any damaged sections removed
• 375 g granulated sugar
• 1500 ml water

Recipe

• 1 in a large pan over a low flame, dissolve the sugar in the water.
• 2 increase the flame and bring the liquid to a boil, then plunge in the strawberries, put a close-fitting lid on the pot and turn off the heat.
• 3 leave the pan undisturbed for at least an hour to infuse.
• 4 dampen a piece of muslin cloth (or a jelly bag), and strain off the liquid into a large bowl or jug. leave the pulp to drip until all the liquid has been collected - do not press the strawberry pulp, or the liquid will turn cloudy. in my experience, the drained pulp is very popular with passing children, despite its rather anaemic appearance!
• 5 chill the beautiful ruby-red strawberry water, then serve over ice. you may need to dilute it with water, to taste.
• 6 alternative serving suggestion - pour a little of the chilled strawberry water into a wine glass, then top up with chilled sparkling wine.