I managed last weekend to pick the last of the elderberries to make syrup for the first time. It is so tasty, I wish I had made more and now that I know where my local elderberry trees are I'll be back next year!

I had a pound of elderberries. The first stage is to make sure all the tiny stalks are removed. They aren't good for you so need to be discarded before the cooking starts.

Now heat the elderberries in a big pan covering with plenty of water. Heat, stir and mash for about 20 minutes to half an hour until you feel like as much juice as possible has been released from the berries.

Now strain the mixture through a muslin cloth. I used a new, clean j cloth and a sieve. Let all the juices drain from the mixture. Then add about 100g of sugar and gently heat. I also added a good squirt of lemon juice but you good also add cloves or cinnamon. Let the syrup thicken slightly and then add to a sterilised bottle. My pound of elderberries made one 250ml bottle of syrup.

I hope some of you can still find elderberries or at least bookmark this for next year.