Fruit cordials

These can be made from many fruits and form the basis of summer drinks or winter cures. The most suitable fruits are blackberries, blackcurrants, loganberries, raspberries and strawberries. Put the fruit into a large earthenware basin and break it up with a wooden spoon, no water need be added, except to blackberries and blackcurrants. For these, add just enough water to start the flow of juice. Put the basin of fruit over a pan of hot water on the stove. Keep the water in the bottom pan on the boil, crush the fruit occasionally. When all the juice has been extracted put the fruit into a double muslin bag and leave it to strain overnight.