Lemon cordial

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They say that when life gives you lemons make lemonade. The meaning of this old proverb is to promote optimism and positivity by turning a negative situation (represented by sour lemons) into something positive (sweet and delicious lemonade).

Well in this instance it isn’t life that’s giving me lemons but my heavily laden trees so I am turning the negative aspect of the fruit falling to the ground and rotting into some thing positive that I can enjoy over the coming Summer months – a thirst quenching, tangy lemon cordial.

If life is giving you oranges as well why not make st clement squash? Simply replace half the lemon juice with orange juice.

LEMON CORDIAL
makes approx 1.5 ltr

INGREDIENTS:

7-10 unwaxed lemons
650g granulated sugar
water

METHOD:

Pare the zest from four of the lemons.

Bring a pan of water to the boil, add the lemons and leave for 1 minute. By warming the lemons they will yield more juice, the lemon infused water will be used to make the cordial.

Remove the lemons from the pan and reserve 500ml of the lemon water.

Squeeze the lemons. You want around 500ml of juice.

Put the sugar, lemon zest and lemon water into a saucepan. Heat gently to dissolve the sugar, then bring to the boil.

Add the lemon juice and bring back to boiling point. Remove from the heat and strain through a sieve.

Pour immediately into hot, sterilized bottles and seal. Leave to cool.

Store in a cool, dry place or in the fridge for up to 4 months.

To serve the mix one part syrup to four parts water.

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