The recent winds and rain recently placed one of my flowers within reach of woodlice and other creatures in the undergrowth. Usually I let them eat any windfalls but this was a scented rose, so I decided to try my hand at making rose syrup.
Let the flower dry out indoors, and allow any inhabitants to leave! I rehomed two beautiful white spiders and a teeny black beetle.
To make rose syrup, put 200g of sugar and 200ml of water into a pan and heat gently until all the sugar has dissolved. Be careful not to let it boil. Then put petals from one rose (the more fragrant the better) into the pan and keep at almost simmer point for half an hour.
Stay near, to keep an eye on it, and enjoy that heavenly smell!
Strain it into a sterile bottle and keep it in the fridge.
Add a dash to summer cocktails or home made meringues….whatever you fancy really!
Jules Charrington
