The elderflowers are in full bloom and my elderflower fizz is quietly maturing, though I keep checking it as there have been a few exploding bottles over the years. When the pressure builds up it pushes out the bottom of the bottles, so when the bottles start to fall over I carefully unscrew the cap to release the gas and then tighten it up again.

To make elderflower fizz you need:

About 20 heads of elderflowers -creamy ones not ones that are turning brown

700g white sugar

2 tablespoons of cider vinegar

Peel and juice of 2 lemons

Put everything into a large bowl with 1 gallon of water and give it a good stir to dissolve the sugar. Cover the bowl with a tea towel or mesh cover (not cling film as it needs to breathe) and leave for 24 to 48 hours in a cool place and then strain into plastic fizzy drinks bottles.

Keep it for a week or two so it builds up some fizz and drink within two or three months.