Lemon Simple Syrup

Lemon Simple Syrup is one of the simplest and most versatile syrups and this homemade version couldn't be easier to make! It looks like a little jar of sunshine and adds the perfect pop of bright and tart flavor to everything from tea to drinks to baked goods.

I've developed recipes for all kinds of crazy simple syrups, from bubblegum syrup to sugar cookie syrup. I even have a candy corn syrup recipe that's fabulous in the fall!

But today I'm taking it back to basics with this simple, but incredibly delicious and versatile, lemon simple syrup.

With its bright and cheery color, this syrup is the perfect combination of sweet and tart and will incorporate a little sunshine into whatever you add it to!

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

Simple syrups can be used in so many different ways and since lemon is one of the most versatile flavors, it has even more uses than the average syrup.

This lemon syrup is incredibly easy to make and can be kept in an airtight container in your fridge for about a month. Which means you can pull it out and easily add it to whatever you want!

Homemade syrups also make great host and hostess gifts or as part of a cocktail themed gift.

🗒 Ingredients

The ingredients needed for lemon simple syrup couldn't be more, well, simple. Here's what you need (be sure to check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions):

• Water
• Granulated sugar
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice

I always recommend fresh squeezed lemon juice as it definitely tastes different than the store-bought bottled stuff.

🍋 How to make lemon simple syrup

If you've ever made homemade simple syrup before, this process will be very familiar to you.

If not, you'll learn just how easy it is!

Simply put all ingredients in a medium saucepan.

And bring to a boil.

Once boiling, lower heat and let mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, until syrup has thickened. But note that it will continue to thicken later when it cools.

Strain syrup into a bowl, leaving the zest behind.

Check out that bright sunny yellow lemon simple syrup!

Be sure to keep the syrup in bowl or pour into a mason jar and place in fridge to cool completely before using.

Obviously you need to give it a little taste first.

You might actually be tempted to just drink this straight out of the jar! It's incredibly sweet, of course, but also has the perfect amount of tart bright flavor.

🍵 How to use

While many of the homemade syrups I make are most perfect in coffee, this lemon simple syrup is one I actually wouldn't recommend in coffee. But it has so, so many more uses!

Here are some of my favorites:

• Homemade lemonade: Mix the lemon syrup with water for an easy instant lemonade.

• Tea mixer: Though I don't love lemon syrup in my coffee, it's the most perfect addition to tea, both hot and iced tea. It adds the lemon flavor and sweetness all at once. I like it best in Earl Grey tea and green tea.

• Cocktail and mocktail add-in: This syrup is the perfect addition to so many cocktails and mocktails. Whether you're making a lemon drop martini or just want to add a little lemon flavor and sweetness to your vodka soda, you can easily use this.

• Homemade lemon soda: Simply mix a little bit of the syrup into seltzer water for an easy homemade lemon soda.

• Pancake, waffle, or french toast topping: Drizzle a little lemon syrup over your favorite brunch treats for some sunshiny flavor. It's especially delicious over lemon ricotta pancakes.

• Yogurt or oatmeal topping: You can also drizzle it over your healthy breakfasts for a little sweet flavor.

• Salad dressing ingredient:  Add a little of this syrup to your olive oil based salad dressing and you have instant lemon flavor. It would make a great alternative dressing for this roasted cauliflower salad.

• Meat Marinade: Use the syrup to marinate chicken, fish, or vegetables, adding a touch of sweetness and lemon flavor that caramelizes beautifully when cooked.

• Frosting flavoring: The lemon syrup will give your homemade buttercream frosting and cream cheese frosting an instant burst of bright flavor.

• Cake moistener: A lot of professional bakers brush their homemade cakes with a little simple syrup to keep them moist and to add extra flavor. This would be especially delicious on a vanilla cake, but it will also add even more awsome flavor to a lemon cake.

I told you it has a lot of uses!

If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear how you're using the syrup.

⏲️ How to store

I recommend storing your lemon simple syrup in an airtight container in the fridge.

It should stay fresh for about a month when stored properly in an airtight container (like a mason jar) in your fridge.

Did you know you can also freeze simple syrup? I recommend pouring any leftover syrup into ice cube trays to freeze and then storing the syrup cubes in a large freezer-safe bag.

Once frozen, you can even add the lemon syrup ice cubes to a glass of water!

🎉 Variations on recipe

I love the simplicity of this homemade lemon syrup, but, of course, lemon flavor works with so many different ingredients and spices.

Here are some things you can add to the syrup for different flavor profiles:

• Mint
• Basil
• Thyme
• Ginger
• Lime juice and lime zest
• Vanilla
• Strawberries (I actually have a recipe for a strawberry lemonade syrup!)
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Orange juice and orange zest
• Grapefruit juice and grapefruit zest
• Lavender
• Hibiscus
• Cardamom

🛍️ Where to buy

This lemon syrup couldn't be easier to make and I think it tastes far better than any bottle you can purchase.

However, if you don't feel like making it, there are lots of options for purchasing store-bought lemon simple syrup. Here are a few:

• Torani Lemon Syrup
• Monin Lemon Syrup
• Back House Lemon Syrup
• 1883 Lemon Syrup
• Fabbri Lemon Syrup

🍓 More fruity simple syrups

Though I love making homemade simple syrup with all kinds of ingredients, fruity syrups are some of my favorites as they have so many delicious uses!

Here are some of the best fruit simple syrup recipes:

But if you're wondering what my most popular syrup is, it's this jalapeño simple syrup.

Every since I first made this lemon simple syrup, I've pretty much always had a jar of it in my fridge. And it's become one of my most reached for drink ingredients.

But really, you don't even want to know how many simple syrups I have in my fridge at any one time!

What's your dream idea for a flavor?

📖 Recipe