Homemade Lemon Cordial (Lemon Syrup)

Homemade Lemon Cordial (Lemon Syrup)

Ingredients

• 8–10 large lemons
• 4 cups (800 g) granulated sugar
• 4 cups (1 liter) water
• 1 tsp citric acid (optional, helps preserve freshness)
• 1 tsp lemon zest (optional, for extra flavor)

Instructions

1. Prepare the lemons
   • Wash the lemons thoroughly.
   • Zest 1–2 lemons if using zest.
   • Juice all the lemons. You should get about 1½–2 cups of fresh lemon juice.
   • Strain out the seeds and excess pulp.
2. Make the syrup
   • In a large saucepan, combine the water and sugar.
   • Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
   • Do not let it caramelize.
3. Cool slightly
   • Remove from heat and let the syrup cool for 10–15 minutes.
4. Add lemon
   • Stir in the fresh lemon juice.
   • Add citric acid and lemon zest if desired.
   • Mix well.
5. Strain
   • Strain the cordial through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth for a smooth finish.
6. Bottle
   • Pour into sterilized glass bottles.
   • Seal tightly.
7. Store
   • Refrigerate for up to 1 month.
   • For longer storage, freeze in small portions.

🥤 To Serve

Mix:

• 1 part lemon cordial
• 3–4 parts cold water or sparkling water
• Add ice cubes and fresh lemon slices.
• Garnish with mint leaves if desired.

🍹 Variations

• Add fresh mint while the syrup is warm for a refreshing mint-lemon cordial.
• Mix in a few slices of fresh ginger for a spicy kick.
• Use sparkling water instead of still water for a fizzy lemonade.
• Add a splash of vanilla extract for a subtle twist.

Tips

• Sterilize bottles by boiling them for 10 minutes before filling.
• Adjust the sugar to taste if you prefer a less sweet cordial.
• Fresh lemons produce the brightest flavor, so avoid bottled lemon juice.