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    Home » Recipes » Lemon Recipes

    Easy Lemon Simple Syrup Recipe (With Video)

    Published: Dec 12, 2023 · Modified: Apr 13, 2025 by Emily Laurae · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Lemon simple syrup in a glass container.
    Lemon simple syrup in a glass container.
    Lemon simple syrup in a glass container.

    Learn how to make lemon simple syrup at home with this quick and easy recipe. If you’ve ever found yourself eyeing that pricey bottle in the grocery store—pause right there! Making your own syrup is not only more cost-effective, but it also lets you dial in the fresh, zesty flavor. I started making citrus syrups like this while working in bakeries, where they were key to adding brightness to cakes, teas, and cocktails alike! 🍋

    Lemon simple syrup in a glass container.
    Jump to:
    • ⭐ Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • 🍴Ingredients 
    • ⏲️ Substitutions & Variations
    • 📖 Step-by-Step Instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • 💭 Recipe FAQs 
    • More Lemon Recipes You'll Love
    • Lemon Simple Syrup
    • 💬 Comments

    Elevate your favorite cocktails, delicious tea, and desserts with this delightful lemon syrup! If you've been browsing experience for something that's a great way to add a burst of flavor to your kitchen creations, then look no further. Today, we’re going to explore the wonderful recipes world of homemade simple syrup, specifically a zesty lemon simple syrup recipe that's a delight to make and even better to taste.

    Why make simple syrup, you ask? First off, making your syrup at home significantly cuts down on food costs compared to what you would spend at the grocery store. Plus, when you make it yourself, you know exactly what’s going in—no high sugar content additives or preservatives. This is also a great recipe for controlling the level of sweetness in your drinks and desserts.

    What can this lemon syrup recipe do for you? Think beyond lemon drop shots or martinis and iced tea. This lemon syrup is incredibly versatile, and it’s my favorite way to add some zing to everything from cold beverages to cake layers. You can even drizzle it over a fruit salad for that extra wow factor! 

    So, what's the best part? Well, this simple syrup recipe is as versatile as it is delicious. Whether you’re a fan of Italian recipes, Thai recipes, or any other global cuisine, this lemon simple syrup can find its way into your culinary repertoire. Cheers to your next delicious adventure! 🍋

    ⭐ Why You'll Love This Recipe

    Here are some irresistible reasons why this lemon simple syrup will become your new go-to ingredient.

    • Easy to Make: This simple recipe requires minimal prep time.
    • Flavorful: The fresh lemon juice and lemon zest make this a vibrant addition to your favorite cocktails and desserts.
    • Cost-Effective: Making this at home reduces food costs versus store-bought versions.
    • Customizable: Adjust the lemon flavor and sweetness to your personal information taste preference.

    🍴Ingredients 

    Lemon syrup ingredients.

    Let’s gather the two simple stars of our show: lemons, and sugar.

    • Lemons: Large lemons are best for the most lemon juice and lemon zest.
    • Sugar: A cup of sugar sweetens the mix and helps the sugar dissolves into a smooth syrup.

    See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    ⏲️ Substitutions & Variations

    • Meyer Lemons: Swap out regular lemons for Meyer lemons for a sweeter, more floral flavor.
    • Brown Sugar: Use brown sugar instead of white for a deeper, molasses-like flavor.
    • Lime Juice: Try lime juice for a tropical twist on this classic simple syrup recipe.
    • Basil Leaves: Add some basil leaves for a lemon basil syrup variation that’s great in both desserts and cocktails.

    This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

    📖 Step-by-Step Instructions

    Zesting lemons with a y peeler.

    Prep Lemons: Zest the lemon peel and juice the lemon halves.

    Juicing lemons into saucepan.

    Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, mix the cup water and cup of sugar.

    Stirring lemon juice and sugar in a saucepan.

    Warm-Up: Put the saucepan on medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

    Adding lemon peel to syrup.

    Add Lemon Goodness: Add your fresh lemon zest to the saucepan. Keep the mixture on low heat for about 10 minutes.

    Straining lemon syrup.

    Strain: Use a fine-mesh sieve to remove the lemon zest. Allow the syrup to cool.

    Filling jar with lemon syrup.

    Storage: Pour into glass bottles or a mason jar and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

    • Fine Mesh Sieve: Use a fine mesh sieve for a crystal-clear syrup.
    • Cool Completely: Make sure your syrup reaches room temperature before storing to preserve the lemon flavor.
    • Freshness Counts: Use large lemons for maximum lemon juice and zest.
    • Longevity: Stored in an airtight container, this lemon syrup can last up to a month.
    Lemon simple syrup in a glass container.

    💭 Recipe FAQs 

    Is this lemon syrup recipe good for hot tea as well?

    Yes, it’s a versatile addition to both hot tea and cold beverages.

    How long does this homemade lemon syrup last?

    Eventually, this lemon simple syrup will grow mold and go bad. However, because of their high level of sugar, most simple syrups will last in the fridge for at least a month as sugar is a natural preservative!

    Please note that a rich syrup (that is, made with double the sugar) will last for even longer. You’re also welcome to add about an ounce of vodka to the syrup to inhibit bacterial growth. 

    Can I use this lemon simple syrup in healthy recipes?

    Absolutely, it’s a great way to add flavor without artificial additives!

    How can I use this syrup in my cooking aside from beverages?

    Feel free to add it to fruit salads, as a cake layer, or even as a marinade for some recipes.

    Lemons in simple syrup.

    More Lemon Recipes You'll Love

    • Lemon Posset in small cups on a cutting board.
      Lemon Posset (Easy & Creamy 3 Ingredient Recipe)
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      How to Make Mini Lemon Meringue Tarts with Homemade Lemon Curd
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    If you try the recipe for this Lemon Simple Syrup, please leave a 🌟 review and share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter! 📧 

    Lemon simple syrup in a small jar.

    Lemon Simple Syrup

    Discover how to make lemon simple syrup at home with this easy recipe. If you've been wandering the aisles of the grocery store, debating whether to pick up a bottle of store-bought syrup—hold that thought! We're diving into why making your own simple syrup is not only a cost-effective choice but also a flavorful one, perfect for elevating everything from your morning iced tea to your favorite cocktails. 🍋
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Course: Cocktails
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 128kcal
    Author: Emily Laurae

    Equipment

    • Saucepan
    • Spatula
    • Strainer
    • Paring Knife
    • Cutting Board
    • Y-Peeler
    • Juicer

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup (200 g) Granulated Sugar
    • 8 Lemons, peeled/zested and juiced

    Instructions

    • Zest/peel the lemons and set the peel aside. Then, slice the lemons in half and juice the lemons.
      8 Lemons
    • Pour your lemon juice and sugar into a saucepan and heat on medium
      1 cup Granulated Sugar
    • Cook, stirring the mixture until your sugar has completely dissolved.
    • Add lemon zest into the saucepan and continue heating for 30 seconds before removing from heat.
    • Allow syrup to infuse for half an hour as the simple syrup cools completely
    • Strain syrup and pour into an airtight container and store in the fridge

    Video

    Notes

    Frequently Asked Questions
    Does simple syrup go bad? Eventually, this lemon simple syrup will grow mold and go bad. However, because of their high level of sugar, most simple syrups will last in the fridge for at least a month as sugar is a natural preservative. Please note that a rich syrup (that is, made with double the sugar) will last for even longer. You’re also welcome to add about an ounce of vodka to the syrup to inhibit bacterial growth. 
    Can you freeze simple syrup? Yes! You’re also welcome to freeze any simple syrup to extend its shelf life to around 6 months. 
    What’s the best way how to store simple syrup? I find that using a squeeze bottle with a cap is easily the best way to store simple syrup. That way, you can grab it from the fridge whenever you need a splash of flavor and direct it to wherever you’re using it with minimal spilling.
    Can I make sugar-free lemon simple syrup? Sure! If you are watching your sugar intake, simply swap in your favorite sugar alternative. I don’t use them much, but research seems to indicate that any cup-for-cup sugar alternative should do a good job of dissolving into the water. Note that storage times may vary for non-sugar-based simple syrups.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 150mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 24IU | Vitamin C: 57mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg
    Enjoyed this recipe?Mention @emilylaurae or tag #emilylaurae!

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    About Emily Laurae

    Emily is the recipe developer, writer, and food photographer behind Emily Laurae. After finishing Pastry School and working as a chef in the restaurant industry, she created this blog to share those skills with home bakers and creators all over the world!

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