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Lemon Simple Syrup

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Lemon Simple Syrup is a bright, tangy-sweet syrup made with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, and water. It takes about 10 minutes and adds a fresh citrus flavor to drinks and desserts. Use it to make lemonade, sweeten iced tea, mix cocktails and mocktails, or brush it over cakes to keep them moist.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (240 ml) water
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • Zest of 2 lemons, removed in wide strips with a vegetable peeler
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh lemon juice (from about 3 to 4 lemons)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Combine the water, sugar, lemon zest strips, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes without letting it boil hard.
  4. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.
  5. Let the syrup steep for 15 minutes so the zest infuses it with citrus flavor.
  6. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a clean jar or bottle, discarding the zest.
  7. Cool completely, then cover and refrigerate.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemons: Bottled lemon juice tastes flat and will change the flavor of the syrup.
  • Avoid the white pith: Use a vegetable peeler and remove only the yellow part of the peel, since the white part is bitter.
  • Add the juice off the heat: Cooking lemon juice can dull its fresh flavor.
  • How much to use: For lemonade, mix 1/2 cup of syrup with 1 to 1 1/2 cups of cold water, then adjust to taste.
  • Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
  • Freezing: Freeze in ice cube trays, then store the cubes in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
  • Ways to use it: Add to sparkling water, iced tea, vodka or gin cocktails, or brush over pound cake, olive oil cake, or fresh berries.
  • Flavor ideas: Add a few sprigs of thyme, a sprig of rosemary, or a few slices of fresh ginger while the syrup simmers.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/lemon-simple-syrup/