Recipe for Raspberry Cordial

'Tis this season! (For raspberries, that is.) Depending on where you are in the country, it might be the perfect time to make yourself some fresh raspberry cordial. I make a batch for myself (and to share with a few close friends) every year. In case you've never tried to make it, you should know that it's super easy to make and tastes very similar to the bottled type which you can buy on Prince Edward Island.

Here is the recipe for Diana Barry's Favorite Raspberry Cordial:

Ingredients:

1 packages of frozen unsweetened raspberries (or the fresh raspberry equivalent!)
1 1/4 cup of sugar (This year I used honey. It changed the flavor a little, but it's still yummy!)
4 cups of boiling water
3 lemons

Directions:

1. Put the thawed (or fresh!) raspberries into a saucepan and add the sugar
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring once in awhile for 20-25 minutes, until all of the sugar is dissolved.
3. With a potato masher, mash the raspberries and syrup thoroughly.
4. Pour the mixture through a strainer making sure you extract all of the juice.
5. Squeeze 2 of the lemons and strain the juice. Add to the raspberry juice.
6. Let the cordial cool and chill in the fridge.

Honestly the hardest and most time consuming thing about this project is straining the pulp out so that you have a nice, smooth drink. Otherwise it's remarkably easy and oh so yummy.

"But it isn't good manners to tell your company what you are going to give them to eat, so I wont' tell you what she said we could have to drink. Only it begins with an R and a C and it's a bright red color. I love bright red drinks, don't you? They taste twice as good as any other color." Anne of Green Gables

Enjoy (in moderation)!