This recipe came from the Swedish foods website

Ingredients

500 g (1 lb) redcurrants 180 g (6 oz) caster (superfine) sugar

Method

1. Rinse the currants, leave them on their stalks but remove any coarse stalks.

2. Put the berries in a saucepan and add 120 ml (½ cup) of water. Bring to the boil and let simmer until the berries have burst (about ten minutes).

3. Line a sieve with muslin (or use a stand as shown above) and strain the cooked currants.

4. Return the juice to the saucepan and add the sugar. Bring to boil and let simmer for 3 minutes. Remove any scum from the surface with a spoon.

5. Pour the hot liquid through a funnel into a sterilised bottle. (Sterilise by washing and then placing in an oven at 120°C (240°F, gas 1) for 5 minutes.)

Serving suggestions

1. Dilute to taste with cold water, about 1 part cordial to 8 parts water. Serve with lots of ice and garnished with mint if desired.

2. Use in a salad dressing instead of honey.

3. Add to the water when boiling root vegetables to give them a little extra sweetness.

4. Top with boiling water for a pleasant hot winter drink.

5. Pour over vanilla ice cream.

6. Dilute with water and freeze to make ice lollies.

7. Add to sparkling water or sparkling wine to make a delightful summery drink.