Ingredients
4 large unwaxed lemons
750g/1½lb granulated sugar
1 litre/35fl oz/1¾ pints water
1 packet citric acid (sold by asian grocers and chemists)
Method
1. Peel the lemons thinly with a potato peeler, and set the peel aside.
2. Put the lemons in a saucepan with the sugar and water.
2. Heat gently to dissolve the sugar.
3. Carefully lift the lemons out of the water and squeeze them into a separate bowl - you can also microwave the lemons for 30 seconds to release the juice even more.
4. Bring the sugar and water to the boil, add the citric acid and stir.
5. Pour in the lemon juice and peel and remove from the heat.
6. Allow the syrup to cool and strain into a jug. Bottle in sterilised screw-top bottles and refrigerate. Dilute with water or sparkling mineral water.
Variation:
To make elderflower cordial, infuse eight washed and trimmed elderflower heads before straining but after boiling. Sieve and bottle as before.
