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!

pink raspberry moscato cocktail

Happy New Year!  2014 was a great year.  We went to Disneyland, Jack learned to walk, Liam started preschool, Jeff got a new job (!), and so many other great things happened too.

Now that we have two kids (and my parents have a busier social calender than we do...) we don't do all that much to celebrate New Years.  Chinese take-out, some good movies, and some champagne and sparkling cider.  It's lame and simple, but perfect for us.  All four of us can stay in together for the evening, and if we miss the ball drop because we've already fallen asleep, eh, so what?

This year I thought I'd make the pink moscato I bought a bit more fun.  Here's a red raspberry compote to add to the champagne (or clear soda for a non-alcoholic version).  The best part of this cocktail is that its easy, contains only 3 ingredients, and takes about 5 minutes (not counting fridge time).

Start out with 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 1/2 cups of raspberries (fresh or frozen).

Add the sugar and raspberries together in a small pot and stir together over medium heat.  As the raspberries absorb the sugar and soften gently muddle them.

Allow the raspberries to boil for 1 minute, then take off heat.  This part is up to you.  You can allow the berries to keep there shape, or muddle them into oblivion.

Pour the compote into a bottle and let it cool in the fridge until ready to use.

Once your compote and pink moscato are both chilled, pull them out of the fridge and pour!

Pour about a tablespoon of compote into the bottom of a champagne flute, then fill the rest of the way with pink moscato.

I like to quickly stir the contents once in the flute so the compote doesn't adhere so much to the bottom.

Enjoy and have a happy New Year!  There should be plenty of compote to enjoy with an entire bottle of champagne, and even some left over for to spread on some toast tomorrow morning.  Beware those evil hangover you crazy party animals.  :)

Pink Raspberry Moscato Cocktail
makes: about 1 1/2 cups
cook time: 5 minutes

ingredients:
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups red raspberries (fresh or frozen)
1 bottle pink moscato, chilled

directions:
1.  Combine the sugar and raspberries in a small pot on medium heat.  Stir to combine ingredients.  Muddle fruit and allow to boil for 1 minute.  Remove from heat.  Pour into a glass container and refrigerate until cool.
2.  Pour 1 tablespoon fruit compote into base of champagne flute.  Fill remainder of glass with pink moscato.  Stir gently to mix.  Enjoy.

limeade cocktail

I'm getting really good at making cocktails.  I specialize in "I want a cocktail but barely have ingredients.  What can I make that won't taste gross?" drinks.  Yeah, its a thing.  This one is very refreshing and is similar to a mojito.

I finally found a good use for the wild amount of mint growing crazy in my backyard.

This is a great cocktail because it uses only three ingredients (plus ice) and you can make any amount you want easily.

print recipe

limeade cocktail

by Liesl July-15-2014

cool and refreshing cocktail

Ingredients

• 4 parts limeade
• 1 part dark rum
• 4 leaves per glass mint

Instructions

1. In each glass muddle 4 mint leaves and add a small handful of ice cubes. You can make the rest in a single glass, or make a large pitcher full. Add one part dark rum and 4 parts limeade. Enjoy!

Details

Prep time: 2 mins Cook time: Total time: 2 mins Yield: any amount

Citrus Cocktail

Between Jack teething and my schedule being crazy lately, I have been exhausted for about the last two weeks straight.  Luckily Jeff is awesome and waaay better at making happy grown up drinks than I am.  I tend to play fast and loose instead of measuring, and wind up with all alcohol, barely anything else (not that I'm a lush, I'm just terrible at measuring).  Jeff balances the liquids far better.  This is a yummy girly cocktail, pretty, flavorful, not sickeningly sweet.  Perfection.

Yes, this does have a boring name.  I'm terrible at names.  Anyone want to help me think of a better one.

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Citrus Cocktail

by Liesl June-6-2014

Easy and delicious fruity summer cocktail

Ingredients

• 1 shot vodka
• 3 shots worth blood orange soda
• splash lime juice

Instructions

Add ingredients to cocktail shaker with a handful of ice cubes. Shake well to mix and cool down.

Details

Prep time: 3 mins Cook time: Total time: 3 mins Yield: 1 highball glass

Really, utterly simple, and yummy. And pink!