Traditional Sweet Violet Syrup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

sweet violets, about 3 ounces (6 handfuls)
300 ml boiling water (1/2 pint)
600 g white sugar (20 ounces)

Preparation

You need a bain-marie for this recipe and a sterilised bottle.
Remove all of the green, stalks and leaves from the violets and put the flowers into a non-reactive metal pan or in the top of a bain-marie. Pour the boiling water over the flowers, cover with a lid and allow to infuse overnight or for 24 hours.
The next day, add the sugar to the water and violets. Bring the water in the bottom of the bain-marie to a boil and keep stirring the violet mixture until the sugar has completely dissolved. Keep the water at a rolling, but gentle boil. If you don't have a bain-marie, place the sauce pan on top of larger pan with water underneath.
Strain, bottle and label the violet syrup and keep in a cool place, or the fridge for up to 6 months. Use in cakes, scones, pancakes, icings, butter creams, ice creams, biscuits (cookies), beverages, cream puddings etc.