[Bionic]

Ellied, you would be dangerous with a wooden spoon I think 

[Mammyshaz]

  Ellied that is so funny. Hope mine goes a bit more to plan.

Took some young uns with me to do the dirty work of picking nettles only to spend most of the time hunting down docks to neutralise the nettle rashes on them 

Off to the kitchen now to start the recipe   

[HappyHippy]

I messed about with this a LOT last year, changing it slightly & experimenting with the quantities.
What works for me (and was eventually agreed by EHO so I could sell it  ) is;
Pick the nettles (top 4-6 inches) and rinse them in cold water.
Mix boiling water with sugar and citric acid and stir til it dissolves, then add the washed tops.
Weigh down the nettles in the syrup (I use a big, heavy plate) and stir every day for 5 days.
After 5 days, strain the mixture and bottle.

I use sterilised bottles, filled when hot. Then I place the lids on loosely and put in a water bath, bring the temp to 75C and hold there for 10 minutes before sealing the bottles. I find it keeps for 6 months easily, but don't have any older than that to test (it always sold out  )

I think it has a lovely berry flavour, with a bit of 'greeness' to it - it is really nice (even the kids drink it) and it's lovely if you add a dash to a white wine spritzer 

[Bionic]

Thanks for that info Karen.
 

[Mammyshaz]

We started ours last night. Is it supposed to look like a thick gloop mix of browning nettle? 

It does smell ok and small child tester said it tasted nice when he stirred it tonight.

[bloomer]

you shouldn't use a small child to stir it, use a spoon like everyone else!!!   

[Clarebelle]

 

[Mammyshaz]

It's easier to use a small child and they can taste it while they work 

[NicandChic]

 Really want to try this as our place is full of nettles! (Also have 2 smallish children) sounds like they will come in handy.

[ellied]

Well I taste tested my first ever batch yesterday and I'm still standing so can't have been too much of a disaster tho I think it is a bit too sweet, maybe inadequate citric at the outset was to blame or maybe I just poured too much, but I've 3 plastic ex fruit juice bottles in the fridge and can imagine them all being safely disposed within the 4 weeks so haven't risked freezing or glass bottling and pasteurising this time.  Think I'm liability enough so I'll just drink it and then move on to elderflowers and more nettles when I'm convinced it was all worthwhile

[bloomer]

I am happy to be a guinea pig Ellied...

[Bionic]

500gr nettles just put in the syrup.
I will give an update in 5 days time 

[waterbuffalofarmer]

sounds unusual, but I will try it. One question is it the tops of the nettles only or is it the leaves as well?
Thanks

[Mammyshaz]

The juice was worth the nettle rash  its going down well here, but I agree it is a bit sweet so will try another batch with less sugar. None frozen here either as it's being used too quickly 

WBF I used the young top growth of stem with leaves, not the older flowering stems.  Chopped them at Appx 4" from the top.

[goosepimple]

If you use lemons instead of citric acid, what would be the quantity for this recipe, and would it make a difference to the flavour?