Simple Lemon Cordial Recipe

Lemon cordial is a lovely refreshing summer-time soft drink. It is simple to prepare and requires no artificial preservatives so long as you sterilise the finished cordial in its bottles. You can use up lemons when they are plentiful and provide yourself and family with a healthy drink all year around. Here's how to make simple lemon cordial.

Ingredients

* Lemons
* Sugar

Method

* Juice as many lemons as you can (or dare)
* Put the juice into a measuring jug to determine how much sugar to use
* For every litre of juice you will need 1.2 kilos of sugar
* Put the juice and sugar into a large pan and heat very gently
* Stirring continually heat till the sugar is completely dissolved

The cordial is now ready to use - simply add water and ice. Add as much or little water as you like. If you would like to preserve the cordial for future use you can by following the steps below:

Canning the Cordial

* Select bottles or jars with screw top lids. Bottles look prettier but small jars may be easier to get hold of
* Wash the bottles (or jars) and immerse in boiling water for 15 minutes
* Drain the bottles and fill with warm cordial (leave 1/2" space at the top for expansion)
* Screw the caps on tightly then undo by half a turn to allow for expansion
* Place a clean cloth in a large pan and place the bottles in the pan (packing with cloths to keep the bottles from knocking each other if necessary)
* Fill the pan with warm water that comes up at least 3/4 of the way up the bottles
* Slowly heat the pan till the water is boiling
* Boil for 30 minutes
* Remove the bottles and screw up the caps tightly
* Store somewhere cool, dry and dark for year round lemon cordial (once opened store in the refrigerator)

It is very simple and is a great way to use up surplus citrus fruits.

Lec Watkins

If you would like to learn more about canning and preserving basics come visit Casa DirtyBoots.

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