Rose cordial recipe (simple rose syrup)

Make the most delicious rose cordial at home using organic rose petals. This Simple Syrup recipe is floral and subtle and makes a great addition to desserts, drinks, or cocktails. 

Learn easy steps to make this rose cordial using three ingredients you may already have at home. These are fragrant blossoms, water, and sugar.

What is Rose Cordial?

It is a non-alcoholic sweetened rose concentrate typically made with fresh or dried roses, water, sugar, and lemon to balance the sweet flavor. One can replace water with rosewater to boost the floral flavor and aroma of roses. This versatile concentrate has many uses, from sweetening cold or hot drinks to drizzling over desserts.

You can also make an alcoholic version by infusing rose petals in alcohol, such as vodka or gin. Strain the petals and add sweetness to them in simple syrup.

What are the ingredients used in rose cordial?

Rose petals

The right selection of rose blossoms will affect the final syrup’s scent, taste, and color. Thus, choosing petals free of any chemicals is essential, preferably from your garden. Remove any damaged petals and insects before using them in the recipe.

There are many roses, but the best for your concoction is Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia, and Rosa gallica. Select fragrant flowers that have a bright color. Wild roses (Rosa canina) are also a good alternative.

Red or pink blossoms make the best color. Alternatively, use beetroot powder, rose powder, or hibiscus flower petals as natural colorants.

Fresh petals are more fragrant, but dried rose blossoms or a mix can also be used.

Sugar

I used unrefined cane sugar, but you can use any sugar you like, preferably light tan, as dark color may affect the cordial color. You can also use honey or agave syrup. Let it dissolve at the end of simmering the syrup.

Lemon

freshly cut lemon slices can highlight the color and balance the sweetness of the syrup. You can substitute with lime or lemon zest.

Citric acid (optional)

Citric acid is optional if you want to preserve the cordial and add some tart and fruity touch.

Beetroot powder (optional)

is an excellent natural colorant that adds a pink hue if you use white or pale blossoms. Just a pinch is enough to get a bright pink color.

Rose water (optional)

while typical rose cordials contain just water, you can boost its flavor by replacing water with rosewater. This double action of roses makes a fragrant syrup often used in middle eastern cuisine.

Where can I use Rose Cordial?

This rich pink hue concoction is highly floral, aromatic, and versatile. it can be used as-is or to make refreshing non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverages.

• Dilute it with plain, sparkling water or soda, and ice to make rose sharbat. Just two tablespoons in a large drink, and it is bursting with fresh rose flavor and also is not too sweet.
• make Rose milk – pour chilled milk into a glass and add 2-3 teaspoons of homemade concentrate. Stir to combine. Top it with some rose petal jam for extra flavor.
• Drizzle a small amount over your dessert, cakes, crepes, waffles, ice cream, or pancakes.
• Use it as a sweetener in your teas or lattes.
• It is exceptional in champagne or prosecco for a Rose Syrup Prosecco but equally in cocktails, mocktails punches ,or gin and tonic. Just add a bar spoon to the flavor.
• add a splash of lemonade or orange juice to make rose juice.
• I used it to make these Rose cookies or Rose milk cake
• Add it to your yogurt and serve it as rose-flavored sweet yogurt.

How to make Rose Cordial (Step-by-step instructions)

First step – Gather the ingredients.

Remove any damaged petals and insects before using them in the recipe

Grate lemon zest from 2 organic lemon

Second step – bring water and sugar to boil

In a small saucepan, bring the water to boil, add sweetener and let the sugar to dissolve,

Third Step – add remaining ingredients

Add roses, lemon slices, and citric acid if using. At this stage, also add beetroot powder if using,

Fourth Step – bring the mixture to boil

Bring it to a boil, remove it from the heat and cover the lid.

Fifth step – let it infuse

Let the mixture infuse for at least 24 hours.

Sixth step – Filter

Filter the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the petals and citrus.

Seventh step – bottle

Bottle the cordial into sterilized glass bottles, seal it, and transfer it in the fridge.

How to store the Rose Cordial?

Store it in a sterilized bottle or airtight jar in a fridge for several weeks. You can freeze it to extend its shelf life up to 6 months.

What are the benefits of rose syrup?

Roses are naturally uplifting and contain plant flavonoids that have anti-stressful and antidepressant properties (1)

They are also rich in polyphenols that help neutralize free radicals and contribute to good health (2). I like to use them in recipes, remedies, and skincare products.

Other Recipes Using Fresh Roses

Rose petal jam.

Rose extract.

Chocolate with roses.

I also like to use roses in skincare products such as rose oil, facial rose cream, rose soap or bath bombs with rose petals. 

What does Rose cordial taste?

It has a light floral scent highlighted with the smell of roses and a sweet, delightful taste that elevate any desserts or sweet dishes to the next level.

Try a Wild Rose Hip Syrup

Rose petals are not the only drink ingredient that the rose plant has to offer. A fun alternative to this syrup is to harvest wild rose hips in late summer and early fall and use them to make a rose hip syrup. Its flavor differs from a rose concoction, but it is a nutritious drink with vitamin C.