Lemon Simple Syrup

Looking for a new sweet syrup to add to your repertoire? Well don't try those watered-down versions, this is the best lemon syrup recipe because it is made with 100% juice. 

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This lemon syrup is the basis of my favorite lemon Italian soda recipe. But it has so many other uses, I wanted to highlight on its own. 

📖Why My Recipe Works

And that versatility is what makes this simple lemon syrup recipe special. You can use it as a cake syrup, for drinks, and of course, cocktails. 

This tangy lemon syrup skips the water to ensure maximum lemon flavor. Considering it has about 5 minutes of hands-on time, it can't be beat. 

🧾Ingredient Notes

Fresh Lemons- You can use any variety of lemons in this recipe. You are going to lemon zest (not lemon rinds) and lemon juice in this recipe.

You can use bottled lemon juice to supplement if needed.

Sugar- Plain white sugar or honey works best in this recipe. Using brown sugar or maple syrup will darken the syrup giving it an unappealing color, so best to skip those. 

You can also add more water to this lemon simple syrup recipe if you prefer a lighter flavor. I only recommend this for cocktails where too much lemon might alter the final drink. 

See the recipe card for exact quantities.

⏲️How to Make Lemon Syrup

This easy recipe follows the standard simple syrup method with a sugar-to-liquid ratio of 1:1.

Step 1- Zest and Juice​

I prefer to use a small paring knife to remove the zest. You want to leave the white pith which will taste bitter.  

You may think using a grater to remove the zest is the easiest way, and maybe for removal it is but I promise that even with straining you will get floaties. 

Cut your lemons in half and juice. You will need a bunch of lemons to get to 1 cup of juice. 

Step 2- Simmer

Next up we dissolve the sugar in the lemon juice. You just need a small pan and to heat the ingredients over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves.

Remove from the heat and add the lemon peel. 

Steep for 20 to 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. The syrup should now be at room temperature so simply strain the syrup to remove the zest any seeds that may have snuck in. 

One note is that you can use hot lemon syrup in hot tea.

🥗Lemon Syrup Uses

There is an endless number of ways to use this little bottle of sunshine. 

1. Italian Soda- Mix with club soda and ice for a refreshing lemon soda. 
2. Iced Tea- Just like our blueberry tea recipe, you can make lemon iced tea. 
3. Lemonade: Mix the syrup with cold water and ice to create a refreshing glass of homemade lemonade.
4. Lemon Cake Syrup- You can use it on a gluten-free lemon drizzle cake or brush on cake layers before assembling to keep them moist.  
5. Fruit Salad - Drizzle lightly over your favorite berries. 
6. Ice Cream-Drizzle over vanilla ice cream, or pistachio!
7. Greek Yogurt- Turn plain yogurt into lemon yogurt and add a few fresh berries. 
8. Cocktails: Whether you're creating a classic lemon-based cocktail or a non-alcoholic mocktail, a dash of this lemon syrup will increase the lemon flavor without watering down your drink.

🌡️Storing Leftovers

After cooling the syrup to room temperature, transfer any remaining lemon syrup into a clean, airtight container, preferably glass, and store it in the refrigerator. Enjoy its refreshing flavor for up to a month.

Before each use, give the container a good shake as natural lemon oils may slightly separate during storage. If the syrup appears cloudy or has particles floating in it, toss it out. 

You can also freeze lemon syrup by pouring it into ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen, move to a freezer bag for long-term storage. 

More Homemade Syrup Recipes

💬 How do I make the syrup thicker?

even add more sugar after straining if you like. Just warm the lemon mixture back up and stir to dissolve the additional sugar. 

Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment. And be sure to check out more seasonal gluten-free recipes.

📖 Recipe Card