Lime (or any citrus) Cordial!
Make now for summer sipping!
Makes: Approximately 1.5 litres
Ingredients
2 cups white sugar
1 litre water
Zest of 6 limes (avoid the white pith)
1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1–2 teaspoons citric acid
Method
In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and lime zest.
Heat gently over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved. Do not allow the mixture to boil vigorously.
Remove from the heat and leave to steep for 20–30 minutes to allow the lime zest to infuse the syrup.
Strain the syrup through a fine sieve to remove the zest.
Stir in the fresh lime juice.
Allow the cordial to cool completely before pouring into sterilised bottles or jars.
To Serve
Mix approximately 1 part cordial with 4–5 parts chilled still or sparkling water, adjusting to your preferred taste. Serve over ice with fresh lime slices and mint if desired.
Storage
Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks without citric acid, but up to 1-3 months with citric acid. For longer storage, freeze in ice cube trays or freezer-safe containers and thaw as needed.
Love Grow Eat Tip:
You can freeze the juice and zest for making this recipe in the summer.
You can mix and match the citrus for whatever you have available.
Keep the zest pieces (if larger peelings), and coat them in sugar. Dry in the oven at 50 °C, or in a dehydrator until completely dry to have delicious dried peel.
This cordial also makes a wonderful base for summer mocktails, drizzled over fruit salad, or mixed into soda water with fresh mint from the garden. It's also delicious stirred through iced tea or used to flavour homemade popsicles. 🍋
