8 uses for lemon juice and simple syrup

I think fresh squeezed lemon juice (it really makes a difference) and simple syrups (especially flavored ones) get the short end of the stick in the kitchen.  Either people don't remember to use them, don't know what to do with them, or think they are too much work to make.

You don't know what you're missing!

I like to make a big batch of each and keep in bottles in my fridge.  Bonus if you put them in pretty bottles.  I always find super cheap but pretty and functional bottles in places like Marshall's.

The simple syrup especially lasts forever because you only need a splash most of the time.  My favorite uses for these two include:

1. a splash of lemon juice to brighten up a soup.
2. lemon juice mixed with powdered sugar over crepes (Jeff is a master of crepes!)
3. lemonade.
4. lemon drops (cocktail, not candy.  Hmm, now I need to try making the candy...)
5. a splash of lemon and/or syrup used with a soda stream.
6. a splash of lemon and/or syrup mixed in tea.
7. a splash of lemon and/or syrup sprinkled over fruit.
8. Add fruit  to lemon juice and simple syrup to make freezer jam.

Making Simple Syrup
Making simple syrup, flavored or plain is soo easy, and just takes a few minutes.  In a small saucepan pour in an equal measurement of sugar and water (say 1 cup of each) and bring to a boil  Stir.  When the sugar has completed dissolved into the water, turn off the heat, let cool, pour into a sealed container of your choice and store in your fridge.  So easy.  If you want to up your game and flavor the syrup, either stir in an extract once the syrup has cooled, steep some teabags for several minutes in the syrup while still hot, throw some herbs (thyme, lavender, whatever) into a mesh bag and steep for a few minutes while still hot... the possibles are almost endless!

Boil the sugar and water

pick an optional mix-in

If your mix-in is not an extract then add and steep in syrup while still hot.  I used three bags of green tea in 2 cups of sugar and 2 cups of water, the green tea flavor is mild.

If you want your syrup to be a pretty color be careful about which add-in you use.  Green tea gives a nice mellow flavor, but is an unattractive green color.  I put mine in a blue bottle to hide the color!

Liam and I each have a new favorite drink.  His is Green Tea Lemonade.  Mine is the grown up version, the Green Tea Lemon Drop.  Oh yeah.  That's right.  I added green tea to my simple syrup for a refreshing summery twist on the originals.

Green Tea Lemonade (makes 1 serving)
1/4 Cup green tea simple syrup
1/4 Cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 - 1 Cup cold water

Mix together and serve.

Green Tea Lemon Drop (makes 1 serving)
I used a shot glass for measurement

1 part vodka
1/2 part lemon juice
2 parts green tea simple syrup
lemon slice garnish (optional)


Hopefully this will get you thinking about other fun ways to use lemon juice and/or simple syrup.  I know I'm still thinking of fun uses!