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Citrus season! Suddenly I found myself in possession of a plethora of ripe lemons and limes. I could not eat them raw. What to do? Make a jam? I do not have that kind of time. Candied slices? Delicious, but again, too much time! Alas – I found a solution: LEMON-LIME SIMPLE SYRUP.

Capture the vibrant flavors of citrus season with this Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup recipe, a perfect addition to your kitchen repertoire that promises to brighten up your dishes and drinks with just the right touch of tangy sweetness.

Whether you’re whipping up cocktails, drizzling over desserts, or enhancing your marinades, this easy-to-make syrup blends the zesty aromas of lemons and limes into a versatile and delightful ingredient.

Ideal for those looking for an effortless way to use excess lemons and limes, this syrup ensures you get a burst of citrus flavor in every drop!

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What is Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup like?

It’s all in the name. Simple Syrup is one part water to one part sugar. Boiled gently on the stove for a few minutes until it becomes (you guessed it) – syrup!

The deviation between standard Simple Syrup and this extremely versatile and certifiably delicious Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup is the addition of zest and juice from lemons and limes. All that goodness gets strained at the end, so you don’t even have to worry about seeds or the zest turning the syrup sour.

Use this Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup:

• To make popsicles (Blueberry Lemon Popsicle recipe coming soon!)
• In a batch of iced tea.
• Poured over vanilla ice cream.
• Splashed on a fruit salad.
• Drizzled into a batch of salad dressing.

What is in Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup?

Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup consists of a few simple ingredients.

• Water
• Granulated sugar
• Limes zested and juiced
• Lemons zested and juiced

Simple syrup really is simple. Adding lemons and limes in gives it a nice citrusy kick and mkes it easy to use in a plethora of recipes.

This is a great recipe to have on hand for citrus season, when you are swimming in citrus and aren’t sure how to use it all.

How to Make Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup

To make lemon lime simple syrup, zest limes and lemons completely, ensuring to avoid the pith. Juice the fruits directly into a saucepan, then add water and sugar. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for ten minutes until the sugar is dissolved. Strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer and store in a glass jar in the refrigerator until ready to use.

How to Use Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup

Lemon lime simple syrup is a versatile ingredient that can add a burst of citrusy sweetness to a variety of dishes and beverages. Here are some ideas for how to use it:

1. Cocktails: Use the syrup to sweeten and add citrus flavor to cocktails such as margaritas, mojitos, or Tom Collins. It can also be used in a simple vodka soda or gin and tonic for an extra zing of flavor.
2. Mocktails: Create refreshing non-alcoholic beverages by mixing the syrup with sparkling water or club soda. Add some fresh mint leaves or sliced fruit for extra freshness.
3. Iced Tea and Lemonade: Stir the syrup into iced tea or lemonade for a sweet and tangy twist. It’s a great way to upgrade classic summer drinks.
4. Marinades and Glazes: Use the syrup as a base for marinades or glazes for meats, seafood, or vegetables. It adds flavor and helps to caramelize the surface when grilled or roasted.
5. Desserts: Drizzle the syrup over cakes, cupcakes, or fruit salads for a citrusy sweetness. It can also be used to sweeten homemade sorbets or granitas.
6. Salad Dressings: Incorporate the syrup into vinaigrettes or dressings for salads. Its citrusy flavor pairs well with greens, grilled vegetables, or seafood salads.
7. Fruit Dips: Mix the syrup with Greek yogurt or cream cheese for a delicious fruit dip. Serve it alongside fresh fruit platters for a light and flavorful snack or dessert.
8. Baking: Use the syrup to sweeten cakes, muffins, or quick breads. It can also be brushed onto cakes or cupcakes to keep them moist and add extra flavor.

With these ideas, you can explore the versatility of lemon lime simple syrup and add a bright, citrusy touch to your culinary creations.

Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup

It's all in the name. Simple Syrup is one part water to one part sugar. Boiled gently on the stove for a few minutes until it becomes (you guessed it) – syrup!

The deviation between standard Simple Syrup and this extremely versatile and certifiably delicious Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup is the addition of zest and juice from lemons and limes. All that goodness gets strained at the end, so you don't even have to worry about seeds or the zest turning the syrup sour.

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Author: Lauren Harvey

Ingredients

• 1 cup of water.
• 1 cup of granulated sugar.
• 3 limes zested and juiced.
• 3 lemons zested and juiced.

Instructions

• Zest the limes and the lemons completely. Typically, there is more zest to be had on the lemon before reaching the pith than the lime. We don’t want any pith! I find it best for easy cleanup to zest the fruit directly into the small sauce pan you’ll be using to make the syrup.
• Juice the limes and the lemons, again directly into the sauce pan is fine. If you are concerned about seeds, use an electric juicer that separates them for you, or some cheese cloth.
• Place the sauce pan on the stove. Add water and sugar. Bring to a gentle boil using mostly medium heat.
• Let simmer for ten minutes, until all the sugar is dissolved.
• Strain using a fine mesh strainer. Store in a glass mason jar, or other heat safe jar. Keep in the refrigerator until ready to use!

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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FAQs

1. What exactly is Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup?
Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup is a flavored simple syrup that combines equal parts of sugar and water with the fresh zest and juice of lemons and limes.

This syrup is boiled briefly to dissolve the sugar and infuse the citrus flavors, creating a versatile syrup perfect for mixing into drinks, desserts, and other dishes.

2. How can I use Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup in my cooking and baking?
This syrup is incredibly versatile. Use it to sweeten cocktails and mocktails, add a zesty twist to iced teas and lemonades, or drizzle over desserts like cakes and fruit salads.

It also works wonderfully as a base for marinades and glazes for meats and vegetables, or mixed into salad dressings for a citrusy kick.

3. How long can I store Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup and how should I store it?
Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup can be stored in a clean glass jar in the refrigerator for up to a month. Ensure the jar is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.

The acidic content of the lemon and lime juice helps preserve the syrup, but always check for signs of spoilage before use. For longer storage, consider freezing the syrup in ice cube trays for easy portion use later.