Blackberry cordial

400g/13oz blackcurrants
1 litre/13/4 pints water
300g/10oz caster sugar

Wash the blackcurrants in cool water, but do not bother to pick over them or remove their stems. The cooked fruit is passed through a colander and so all this is left behind.

Place the washed fruit, sugar and water in a heavy-based pan, place over a medium heat and bring to a boil.

Turn down to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes or until the blackcurrants have burst and are tender.

At this point remove from the stove and pass through a colander, pressing down on the cooked berries with the bottom of a ladle to extract maximum juice.

Allow to cool, then pour into a vessel and place in the fridge.