Bitter Lemon Soda

Homemade bitter lemon soda makes a perfect cocktail mixer.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Calories: 122 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 lemon, zested
• 4 cups ice cubes, or as needed
• 2 sprigs fresh lavender
• 3 cups lemon juice
• 1 (11 fluid ounce) bottle cold tonic water, or more as needed
• 1.5 cups water
• 1.5 cups white sugar

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine sugar, water, lemon zest, and lavender in a pot and cover; bring to a boil. Cook mixture until sugar is dissolved, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the pot from heat and cool syrup to room temperature, about 15 minutes.

Step 2

Pour lemon juice into a pitcher. Strain syrup into lemon juice and stir until concentrate is evenly mixed. Refrigerate concentrate until chilled, at least 1 hour.

Step 3

Fill serving glasses with ice. Pour about 2 ounces concentrate into each glass; top with tonic water and stir.