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Traditional Lemon Cordial Recipe

Sitting on my bookshelf is my Great Grandmothers book – the News Chronicles 1936 (ish) publication Everything within, a guide to being a housewife and raising kids. It is AMAZING and I was honoured when my grandmother handed it to me as it was always my favourite thing to do when I visited her flick through those yellow pages that Sophia Hamer my grandfather’s mother had sent for and purchased before the second world war and long after my grandfather was a boy as he was born during the first world war. Included in the book is a section of traditional family recipes for everything from main meals to sweets and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) one of my favourites from the book is Lemon Cordial and with this week’s key ingredient for the cooking with kids A to Z being Lemons it’s time to bring out the book and make some bottles of our favourite cordial.

A delicious 1930's traditional Lemon Cordial Recipe perfect for summer drinks and adding to cocktails. Only 3 ingredients and easy to make

Ingredients for your Lemon Cordial Recipe

7 – 10 unwaxed good sized lemons
1lb 7oz of granulated sugar

18fl oz water

Even more Lemon Flavoured Recipes that you should try.

Making Lemon Cordial

Prepare two glass bottles prior to making the cordial by either putting them in a dishwasher on a short cycle and use immediately or sterilise in the oven for 15 mins on a low heat (if they have a rubber seal remember to remove it before putting in the oven as it will melt!)

To make the lemon’s juicy roll them backwards and forwards on a surface so that you can get the juice released from the parts and make it easier to get more juice out of the lemons. Alternatively (but I prefer not to do this with the kids) place the lemons in a pan of boiling water for around 10 minutes and it will burst the cells of the lemon letting the juice out as well).

Zest 4 of the lemons and then juice all of them.

Into a large heavy bottomed pan add the zest of the lemons, 18fl oz of water and the sugar and heat gently until the sugar dissolves and then bring to the boil.

Add in 18fl oz of lemon juice and bring to just below boiling point and then quickly pour through a strainer and into a jug.

Pour into the bottle and seal – once cooled place in the fridge and then serve when you want a refreshing drink – it’s around 1 to 4 parts but I like it a little weaker so use less of the cordial to more water.

A delicious 1930's traditional Lemon Cordial Recipe perfect for summer drinks and adding to cocktails. Only 3 ingredients and easy to make

A delicious 1930's traditional Lemon Cordial Recipe perfect for summer drinks and adding to cocktails. Only 3 ingredients and easy to make

Traditional Lemon Cordial Recipe

Cerys Parker
A delicious 1930's traditional Lemon Cordial Recipe perfect for summer drinks and adding to cocktails. Only 3 ingredients and easy to make
No ratings yet
Servings 1 Litre Bottle

Ingredients
  

  • 7 - 10 Lemons
  • 1 lb 7oz Granulated Sugar
  • 18 oz fl Water

Instructions
 

  • Roll the lemons
  • Zest 4
  • Squeeze all lemons into a jug
  • Add the 18fl oz of water, lemon zest and sugar to a pan
  • Gently bring to the boil and simmer
  • Add in 18fl oz of squeezed lemon juice
  • Bring to the boil and remove
  • Pour into sterilised bottles#
  • Serve 1 part cordial to 4 parts water.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

A delicious 1930's traditional Lemon Cordial Recipe perfect for summer drinks and adding to cocktails. Only 3 ingredients and easy to make

More L is for Lemon Recipes

Satisfy your sweet tooth with these delicious lemon recipes ideal for summer baking and sharing with friends and family.

Check out our selection of delicious Lemon Recipes for summer.

Homemade Lemonade

Lemon and Blueberry Muffins

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Lemon Ginger Ice Cubes – Still Playing School

Madeira Cake – The Madhouse

Pin This Traditional Lemon Cordial Recipe to Make Later this Summer

A delicious 1930's traditional Lemon Cordial Recipe perfect for summer drinks and adding to cocktails. Only 3 ingredients and easy to make

Author
Cerys Parker

Cerys is a marine biologist, environmental educator, teacher, mum, and home educator from the UK. She loves getting creative, whether it is with simple and easy crafts and ideas, activities to make learning fun, or delicious recipes that you and your kids can cook together you'll find them all shared here on Rainy Day Mum.

3 Comments

  1. I love the family history along with the recipe! What a treasure!

  2. we will need to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing from your Grandmother’s book. What an amazing treasure to have from her and to get to share with your children!

  3. Oh this sounds so refreshing. I will have to give it a try with the lads

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