Cocktails with Chamomile cordial
Chamomile cordial is a chamomile infusion sweetened and sharpened with acid, tasting of apple and hay. The acid separates a cordial from a plain syrup; the ingredients list shows whether a bottle has it.
How it's used
In a small measure it takes the place of syrup in a gin or sparkling drink; in a long drink it is the main flavor. It sits well with lemon, honey and elderflower. Chamomile steeped too long turns bitter, and that bitterness carries into the cordial.
Substitutes for Chamomile cordial
Elderflower cordial
The easiest swap, at the same measure. It is about as sweet or a little less. Honeyed and fuller where chamomile is drier and hay-scented.
Homemade chamomile cordial
Steep 4 teaspoons of loose chamomile in 360 ml of hot 1:1 sugar syrup for 20 minutes, then strain. It has no acid, so add a squeeze of lemon per 100 ml and taste.
Chamomile tea
The same aroma with no sugar or acid, so the drink needs syrup and lemon from elsewhere.
Storage
Refrigerate once opened and use it within a month; homemade keeps about two weeks in the fridge. It goes flat rather than off: the apple note thins first and leaves only sweetness.
