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Rose and honeysuckle syrup

rose and honeysuckle syrup recipe

This drink is the taste of high summer for me. A bright floral scent that fills your mouth, yet it has none of the slightly 'soapy' taste that some floral things can have. The recipe gives you a bottle of syrup which can be mixed with water, tonic water or added to gin and tonics. It can also be used to marinate strawberries - layer them up in a pavlova with rose petals and cream and you will have the summeriest of puddings possible.

You do need lots of flower petals - grown without sprays - so this recipe is something for someone with access to a garden really or it could be expensive to make. The flowers don't have to be perfect, I collected the damaged heads after a rain shower - great blotches on their petals but still otherwise perfect.

I love the way the syrup changes from dull beige to jewel pink when you add the lemon juice.

bowl of rose petals to make cordial

You need

Rose petals - the more scented the roses, the more scented the syrup will be. The petals do not have to be perfect but they need to be in their prime. Make sure that they have not been sprayed. Use as many as you can get but at least 5 full headed roses.

Honeysuckle flowers - 10 flowers are probably enough, gently pull the flowers off the stem.

500g Sugar

500 ml water

Juice of one lemon

Sterilised bottle - either put it through a hot wash in the dishwasher or in an over at gas mark one for 15 minutes.

Method

Put the rose and honeysuckle petals in a pan with the water and sugar.

Bring to the boil very gently, stirring so that the sugar dissolves

Simmer for ten minutes.

Add the lemon juice and simmer for five more minutes.

Cool, strain and pour into your bottle.

This will keep in the fridge for three months.

You may also enjoy …

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It’s the private view of the exhibition From the Land @fodderandfarm tonight and the exhibition runs until 17th (open 12-5 each day). 
It’s part of @forthvalleyartbeat trail of Open Studios. 

I have some work in the exhibition- showing alongside @allthatisbraw, @kevinharri and @katgoldin and the whole show has been curated by Kevin. 

In today’s film I’m talking about the build up to the week and all the doubts that came up in my mind. 

Was the work I was showing good enough? Was I good enough? Am I even an artist. 

The link is in my profile - 
I’d love to know if it resonates with anyone. 

#scottishartist #selftaughtartist #forthvalleyartbeat
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I have had some leaves and twigs, pruned from a hedge, in the dye pot this week - such gorgeous colours.
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I will put up a reel later showing the five colours of wool that came out of the pot.
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Thick and home to countless birds, at this time of year they vibrate with song and rustling, edges fringed in bright, light spring green.
This week I have been resting a lot to try and get rid of the shingles that developed as I headed north for my birthday weekend. 
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So this week’s Friday film I’m talking about the frustration of not being to do as much of things as I would like to - especially at a time of year when there is SO MUCH TO DO! 
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You get to see all the sad seedlings waiting to go into the garden and an insight into what I do when my energy and to do list don’t match up.

#chronicfatigue #addisonsdisease #scottishartist #chronicillness
This month’s workshop in The Studio Club is about printing with plants - it’s a chance to learn an ancient technique, slightly adapted so we don’t set fire to ourselves. 

There is still time to join us - the link is in my profile - and all May Studio Clubbers get the course to keep. 

I’ve added in a reel showing making this in slightly speeded up time! 

#printingwithplants #thestudioclub  #snapdragonlife #createsomethingeveryday
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Here is my annual reminder that it is time to sow biennials. It is so easy to forget in the bustle and busyness of - all those plants that fill out the late May and June garden need to be sown now to flower next year.
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For some - especially if you run a relaxed garden - this is a case of making sure that they self sow, or sprinkling some seed in a suitable place.  Others need a little more cosseting.
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If you are a Studio Clubber there is a download of my favourite plants and top tips for growing them in the Studio Club Library.
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About Snapdragon Life

At Snapdragon Life I help bring the changing seasons into your daily life, helping you slow down, so that you can experience increased well being, calm and creativity.

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