Summer Recipes

 LEMON CORDIAL

 This recipe is summer in a glass; mixed with fizzy or soda water it makes the most stunning drink. Also a dash in a gin and tonic will also give your G&T an extra zing, which, I gather from friends who are cocktail experts, makes it taste like a Tom Collins.

If you can get un-waxed lemons do, and if you have a juicer attachment on your processor it’s a much easier way of extracting all the juice from the fruit. 

INGREDIENTS

2kg caster sugar

1 litre water

4 tbsp citric acid

Juice of 6 large unwaxed lemons or 8 medium

Finely grated zest of 2 lemons

Place the caster sugar, water and citric acid in a large saucepan. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved, stirring constantly. Up the heat slightly and bring to simmering point, then remove the pan from the heat and leave to one side.

Juice the lemons and pour the unstrained juice (pips and all) into the warm syrup. Add the grated zest, stir and leave to cool completely.

Once the cordial has cooled, strain and bottle.