Cornish Country Cordials

Up in the Tamar Valley above Callington, with the Devon border and long views out in front, small batches of fruit cordial are made the plain way: fruit, sugar, water and a little ping of citric acid. No artificial sweeteners, colours, flavours or preservatives, and nothing in the kitchen that counts as a major allergen. They call it Proper Squash, which is about right. Being ringed by apple orchards, they moved into cider vinegar and fruit vinegars too.

Lemons, oranges, limes, strawberries, rhubarb, elderflower and ginger all feature, from classic bitter lemon to traditional ginger beer, and everything is vegan bar the Honey, Lemon and Ginger. Dilute roughly one to four with still or sparkling water, stir into a G and T, freeze into ice cubes, or splash Hot Lime and Ginger into a stir fry. Sizes run from miniatures for wedding favours to larger bottles and pouches for parties. Keep opened bottles in the fridge and use within a week.