How to Preserve Liquid

Preserving liquid at home is a straightforward process

Make the most of supermarket special offers or a glut of home-grown fruit by making home-made fruit drinks, such as syrups, squashes or cordials. Cheaper than store bought syrups and without added chemicals, preserving liquids such as these will let you enjoy the taste of summer fruits all year. Although the preservation process for these liquids is straightforward, the key is to ensure that all the equipment and storage bottles are clean and sterile. Using a few pieces of basic kitchen equipment, great tasting drinks can be preserved with little effort.

Things You'll Need

• 2 quarts liquid prepared according to your preferred recipe
• 4 one pint glass bottles with screw-top caps
• Oven
• Funnel
• 1 large and 1 small saucepan
• Newspaper

Instructions

1. Wash and rinse the bottles and caps thoroughly.

2. Place the bottles in a cold oven then heat to 275F for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the bottles to dry and sterilize. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

3. Boil a small saucepan of water and add the bottle caps. Boil for 15 minutes to sterilize. Remove from the water and allow to cool.

4. Pour the prepared liquid into the bottles to within 1 inch of the top using the funnel. Screw on the sterilized caps tightly.

5. Line the base of the large saucepan with newspaper. Place the bottles into the pan and fill with warm water to the base of the bottle caps.

6. Heat the water until it boils and then simmer for 20 minutes.

7. Remove the bottles from the water, re-tighten the caps and allow to cool.

8. Store in a cool, dry place.

References

• "Complete Book of Preserving"; Good Housekeeping; 1993
• Pick Your Own : How to Make Homemade Apple Juice
• EDIS : Selecting, Preparing, and Canning: Syrups