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A glass bottle filled with lime cordial sits on a round marble coaster, surrounded by fresh lime slices and lime halves on a light, textured surface.

Homemade Lime Cordial

Elien Lewis
A bright lime cordial made by rubbing fresh lime zest into sugar to extract maximum flavor before heating. Perfect for gimlets, lime sodas, and anywhere you want concentrated lime flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Cooling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 66 kcal

Equipment

  • Microplane or fine grater
  • Medium bowl
  • Small saucepan
  • Fine mesh strainer
  • Clean jar or bottle with lid
  • Citrus juicer

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3-4 Tbsp lime zest finely grated, from 4 limes
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/3 cup fresh lime juice from the zested limes
  • 1 Tbsp citric acid powder optional but recommended

Instructions
 

  • Zest all 4 limes using a microplane or fine grater, being careful to only take the green outer layer and avoid the white pith.
  • Place the sugar in a medium bowl. Add the lime zest and rub the zest into the sugar using your fingers or the back of a spoon for about 2 minutes, until the sugar is fragrant, damp, and slightly green.
  • Transfer the lime sugar to a small saucepan and add the water.
  • Stir over medium heat until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer.
  • Remove from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
  • Stir in the fresh lime juice and citric acid until the citric acid is fully dissolved.
  • Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a clean jar or bottle. Press gently on the zest to extract as much liquid as possible.
  • Use immediately or seal and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

This recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups / 350 ml, which is enough for roughly 8 to 10 gimlets (using 1 1/2 oz / 45 ml cordial per drink).
The zest-rubbing step is what sets this cordial apart. Don't skip it. The sugar breaks open the oil cells in the lime skin, releasing far more aromatic oils than just steeping the zest in hot syrup.
Citric acid adds tartness that makes a real cordial different from a simple syrup. If you don't have citric acid, the cordial will still be good, just a little sweeter and less tart. 
One medium lime yields about 1 tablespoon of zest and 1 oz / 30 ml of juice. You'll use the zest from all 4 limes, but only need the juice from about 3 of them.
Store in a sealed jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. The citric acid helps preserve freshness.
For a lemon cordial, use the same method and measurements with lemons instead of limes.
For a quick gimlet: combine 2 oz / 60 ml gin or vodka with 1 1/2 oz / 45 ml cordial in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serveCalories: 66kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 0.04gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.001gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.003gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.001gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 10mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.02mg
Keyword cocktail syrup, Gimlet, homemade cordial, lime cordial, lime syrup
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!