Homemade lemon cordial is super simple to make and has a true hint of nostalgia. Just combine lemons, sugar and water and watch the magic happen. Serve it diluted in water for a bright and refreshing summer drink or on the rocks with a splash of vodka.
For this recipe, you will need: Lemons, sugar and water
If you’re from the UK and took cookery classes at school, chances are, for your very first class you set off one morning with a basket full of fresh lemons and bag of sugar. Making traditional lemonade – or lemon cordial – was somewhat of a rite of passage at secondary school.
Transporting a bottle of sticky lemon cordial home on the bus on a swelteringly hot summer’s day, surrounded by a swarm of wasps.
Not so much fun!
This is a recipe that has been around for an eternity.
It belongs to someone’s grandmother’s great-grandmother perhaps even their grandmother! I can’t be sure of the origin but I suppose it might have come about around the 1700s when lime cordial was rationed to Navy soldiers.
There’s really nothing better than a cool glass of lemon cordial on a warm day.
You will love this lemon cordial because it’s not overly sharp or sweet, it has the perfect amount of lemony tang to be truly refreshing and used in a cocktail it adds something rather special.
How to make lemon cordial without citric acid
A quick scour of the internet tells me that some recipes call for citric acid or tartaric acid which I don’t use. Although harmless, the acids are essentially preservatives and since this cordial already has lemon juice and plenty of sugar, I don’t feel adding extra preservatives is warranted.
Lemon cordial FAQ
Can I freeze it?
You sure can! Lemon cordial can be frozen on the day it’s made and will last for at least a year. Add the concentrate to freezer bags and remove from the freezer as when you want a pitcher of delicious lemon cordial.
Is lemon cordial a solution?
This recipe is for concentrated cordial. Dilute 1 part lemon cordial to 3 parts of tap, mineral or carbonated water.
How long does lemon cordial last?
Stored in a sterilised glass jar or container this lemon cordial will last in the fridge for around four months.
Can I add alcohol?
Yes! Lemon cordial is the perfect mixer for many cocktails and goes especially nicely with vodka. Mix 50 ml of vodka with 20 ml of lemon cordial for a ‘lemon drop shot.’
Is lemon cordial good for you?
Lemon cordial has a lot of sugar, if you are looking for the benefits of drinking lemon juice it is better to use a recipe that has lower sugar content. This article explains the health benefits of lemon water as opposed to lemon cordial.
How much juice is in a lemon?
An average lemon contains 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of zest.
Making lemon cordial tips and tricks
- Always zest before juicing
- Rub the grater on the lemon skin as opposed to the lemon on the grater – it makes zesting so much quicker!
- Roll lemons on the kitchen counter with your palm to make them easier to juice. Or…
- Microwave lemons for a few seconds prior to juicing to help release more juice
- Freeze any leftover lemon juice in ice cube trays
- Store the lemon cordial in a sealed glass jar in the cupboard or fridge for 4 months
- Freeze the lemon cordial on the day it’s made for up to a year
- When transferring the lemon cordial into a glass bottle or container, add the strained mixture to a jug first to avoid spillage
How to make homemade lemon cordial
Making homemade lemon cordial couldn’t be any easier, just follow the simple steps below.
- Time needed: 20 minutes (includes heating time)
- Yields: 1 litre
- Zest 4 lemons
- Juice lemons (you need about 500 ml of lemon juice)
- Add 500 ml water to a saucepan with 650g of granulated sugar
- Stir until the sugar has dissolved
- Bring the pan to the boil for a minute or so, until the sugar water mixture has slightly thickened
- Add 500 ml of lemon juice and the lemon zest to the pan
- As soon as it comes back up to boiling point remove the pan from the heat and stir with a whisk
- Allow to cool slightly then strain the mixture through a sieve into a clean bowl
- Pour the mixture from the bowl into a jug and then into your glass bottle/container
- Dilute 1 part lemon cordial to 3 parts of water
I hope you enjoy making and drinking this lemon cordial as much as I do, and that it brings you some happy nostalgic memories of your childhood!
Other lemon recipes I think you’ll enjoy:
- Perfect Every Single Time Lemon Drizzle Cake
- Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cake
- Lemon Possets
- Meringue Wreath With Lemon Curd
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Homemade Lemon Cordial
Instructions
- Zest 4 lemons
- Juice lemons (you will need about 500 ml of lemon juice)
- Add 500 ml water to a saucepan with 650g of granulated sugar
- Stir until the sugar has dissolved
- Bring the pan to the boil for a minute or so, until the sugar water mixture has slightly thickened
- Add 500 ml of lemon juice and the lemon zest to the pan and stir
- As soon as it comes back up to boiling point remove the pan from the heat and give it a good stir with a whisk
- Allow to cool slightly then strain the mixture through a sieve into a clean bowl
- Pour the mixture from the bowl into a jug and then into your glass bottle/container
- Dilute 1 part lemon cordial to 3 parts of water
Notes
- Always zest before juicing
- Rub the grater on the lemon skin as opposed to the lemon on the grater - it makes zesting so much quicker!
- Roll lemons on the kitchen counter with your palm to make them easier to juice. Or...
- Microwave lemons for a few seconds prior to juicing to help release more juice
- Freeze any leftover lemon juice in ice cube trays
- Store the lemon cordial in a sealed glass jar in the cupboard or fridge for 4 months
- Freeze the lemon cordial on the day it's made for up to a year
- When transferring the lemon cordial into a glass bottle or container, add the strained mixture to a jug first to avoid spillage
Oh my word that glass set is just beautiful! I love lemony drinks, perfect for the summer.
Stevie x
I love the glasses so much – even better with lemon cordial in, yum! x