Elderberry Cordial - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 quarts elderberries
2 quarts cold water
4 lbs sugar
1 tablespoon whole allspice
1 tablespoon whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2 quarts whiskey or 2 quarts brandy

Preparation

Stem and wash berries.
cover with water and cook until very soft; strain.
Measure juice; for each quart, add 2 cups of sugar.
Return to saucepan.
Tie spices in bag and add to sugar/juice mixture.
Cook until thick.
Cool, remove spices and measure again.
Add 1 pint liquor for each quart of syrup.
Bottle and cork tightly.
Let sit in cool dark place for at least three weeks.
Improves with age.