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Ingredients
for STRAWBERRY LEMONADE CORDIAL
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Yield: 10-12 cups
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| Strawberry Juice |
4 cups (approx. 2kg strawberries)
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Lemon Juice
(Fresh or Bottled)
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4 cups |
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White Sugar
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3-6 cups (to taste)
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METHOD: 
1. Clean jars (or bottles) and equipment by washing in hot soapy water and rinsing well before use.
2. If using fresh strawberries: rinse berries in water and drain carefully. Discard leaves and damaged berries (spoilt berries will affect the flavour, reduce storage period and increase risk of spoilage). Hull and slice strawberries.
If using frozen strawberries: place frozen berries into a bowl and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Any juice in the bowl will be added to the recipe as part of the juice weight.
3. Juice strawberries via steam juicing, electric juicer or by heating with 1/4 cup water in a pan, simmer (covered) for 15-20 minutes until strawberries are soft, then puree and strain finely to remove pulp and seeds and collect the strawberry juice.
Tip: using strawberry juice (instead of pureed strawberries) makes a smoother, nicer strawberry cordial, so take the time to juice them properly so your cordial isn’t pulpy.
4. Prepare jars (if they require pre-heating, i.e. twist top jars) in a pot lined with a cloth. Cover jars with water and bring to a boil, boiling for 10 minutes. Once the time is up, turn the heat off and leave jars in the hot water until ready to fill.
5. Place lids into a bowl. Cover with boiling water. Remove the lids from the water when you are ready to place them onto the jars to seal.
6. Measure 4 cups of strawberry juice and the lemon juice into a large pan. Add 3 cups of sugar and whisk well. Heat on medium and whisk occasionally while the sugar dissolves, but don’t allow the mixture to boil. Add remaining sugar in 1/2 cup amounts until sweetened to your liking (remember it will be diluted 1 part cordial to 4-5 parts water). Almost bring cordial to a boil (88°C/190°F) then turn the heat off and discard foam (if any).
7. Remove jars from hot water and place onto a heatproof surface i.e. tea towel. Pour the hot strawberry lemonade cordial into the hot jars to 0.5cm (1/4 inch) from the rim
TIP: use a jug and jar funnel to fill jars.
8. Wipe jar rims with a clean, damp cloth to remove any jam residue.
9. Remove lids from hot water and seal jars i.e. twist to secure “fingertip tight”.
10. Return jars of jam into the pot of boiling water and boil for the processing time stated below. Start the timer once the water comes back to a full boil.
11. Turn off the heat source once the time is up. Remove jars from hot water after 5 more minutes. Cool jars overnight on a heatproof surface i.e. wooden board or towel. Do not adjust lids during this time.
12. The next day, check jars have sealed before labelling and dating clearly.
13. Store jars of strawberry lemonade cordial in a cool, dark and dry place (i.e. pantry) for up to 12 months. Jar lids should remain tightly sealed during storage, and not flex up or down when pressed (which indicates jar seal failure, do not consume).
14. Refrigerate jars upon opening and consume contents within 6-8 weeks.
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Processing Time for STRAWBERRY LEMONADE CORDIAL in a Boiling Water Canner
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Jar
Size
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Altitude
≤ 1,000 feet
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Altitude
1,001 - 3,000
feet
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Altitude
3,001 -
6,000 feet
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Altitude
≥ 6,000 feet
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Hot Pack
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≤ 1 Litre
(quarts)
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15
minutes
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15 minutes
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15 minutes
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20 minutes
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Author: Megan Radaich
Image credit: Megan Radaich
Publication: Strawberry Preserving Guide, available HERE