OUR CHILDREN drink a lot of cordial (or cord-oil as my son used to call it) and whilst this often means their water intake is high, I’m aware its not the best for their teeth.

Just the other day I was casually reading the label on the back of a big-brand summer fruits bottle and was surprised by the amount of ingredients it contained.

I don’t profess to know what all the ingredients are and how harmful they are, but fruit + lemon + sugar sounds much more wholesome than fruit juices from concentrate + malic acid + citric acid + sodium citrate + aspartame + saccharin + potassium sorbate + sodium metabisulphite’.

The fact that the bigger brands use slogans like ‘Contains Real Fruit’ gives you an indication of what the lesser brand cordials might (or might not) contain.

My point is, if you want to make sure you know exactly what your children are consuming, you really need to make it yourself.

I’m sure I’ll continue to buy cordial for the kids and I’m not saying these products are dangerous, but I know with a little bit of effort we can definitely do better ourselves, making much more tasty, fresh and interesting drinks.

As I’m writing this, my sons are arguing over an Xbox game, it’s a beautiful sunny day and this year the fruit trees and bushes are absolutely loaded with fruit.

I think we need to get out and forage some fruits – I’ve never seen such a good year for fruit in fact! I think this is due to the wet start to the summer and then the unusually hot weather.

Within 100 yards of my house I’ve picked countless cherries, and there are plums, blackcurrants, elderberries, blackberries, apples and rosehips all ripe or nearly ripe.

So whether you live in the town or the country why not take the kids (or yourself) out fruit-picking these summer holidays?

Foraging is educational, good exercise, fun, and you can make yourselves a good supply of additive-free, extra-fruity cordial to see you through to the winter and even help fend off the common cold.

I follow a recipe that includes cloves, and keep a bottle in the freezer and get it out when I have ‘man flu’. With hot water making up the drink it has steam to inhale, tastes delicious and makes you feel better!

You will need glass bottles or jars with lids – Kilner-type jars are good – a large saucepan and wooden spoon, a measuring jug or weighing scales, and muslin or a very clean tea towel (for straining the cooked fruit).

Hope you enjoy the cordial as much as we do!