This is a super fun recipe to recreate an old classic we all love to drink with a wedge of lemon on a hot summer's day. I've adapted this recipe to use only lemon as it's not likely that one would have lemon, orange and lime at home but if you do, use all three!
Recipe
Ingredients
Grated zest of 2 lemons
⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
⅛ tsp nutmeg
1 section of a star anise pod or 1/4 tsp fennel seeds
½ tsp lavender (extract or dried flowers)
2 tsp fresh ginger / if you don't have fresh try 1 tsp powdered
1/2 tsp vanilla extract or 1 fresh vanilla pod
2 cups of sugar
2 tbsp brown sugar
Method
In a saucepan over medium heat, bring 1/2 litre of water to a simmer with the lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, lavender, ginger and vanilla. Cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes on a low heat. You will start to smell the aromas filling the room!
Once the 20 minutes has elapsed, strain the liquid using a colander and a muslin cloth. Squeeze the cloth to get any excess liquid out.
In a pan, heat 2 tbsp of brown sugar with a touch of water and let it heat up until it start to caramelise and turn darker. Take it off the heat before it starts to thicken.
Pour the brown sugar mixture and 2 cups of sugar into the liquid and stir until the sugar has fully dissolved. If the colour is still too light, repeat the brown sugar step.
Once you are happy with your syrup, allow it to cool down and transfer it to an airtight glass bottle and store in the fridge.
To serve, mix 1 measure of cola to 4 measures of sparkling or soda water, and add some ice and a slice of lemon. Don't forget the straw! These bamboo ones are environmentally friendly!
