Blackberry Cordial

• 7 quarts (6¼ L) fresh, ripe black berries
• 5 cups (

Pick over the blackberries, but avoid washing them unless absolutely necessary. Put them into a stoneware crock. Peel the zest from the lemons, being careful to get as little of the white pith as possible. Over medium high heat boil the water with the sugar and lemon zest in the saucepan until the sugar is completely dissolved, approximately 10 minutes after it comes to the boil.

Pour i