Homemade Lemon Cordial

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

1. Zest 4 lemons
2. Juice lemons (you need about 500 ml of lemon juice)
3. Add 500 ml water to a saucepan with 650g of granulated sugar
4. Stir until the sugar has dissolved
5. Bring the pan to the boil for a minute or so, until the sugar water mixture has slightly thickened
6. Add 500 ml of lemon juice and the lemon zest to the pan
7. As soon as it comes back up to boiling point remove the pan from the heat and stir with a whisk
8. Allow to cool slightly then strain the mixture through a sieve into a clean bowl
9. Pour the mixture from the bowl into a jug and then into your glass bottle/container
10. 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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