Learn How to Make Your Own Lime Cordial for Gimlets & More (2024)

Lime cordial is a drink mixer with a tart lime flavor. It's a hybrid ingredient that's sweeter than lime juice and more sour and bitter than lime syrup; it can be a substitute for either. Useful in co*cktails, shots, and nonalcoholic drinks, lime cordial is as easy to make at home as any flavored simple syrup.

This lime cordial recipe is very similar in taste to the popular Rose's Sweetened Lime Juice (also labeled Rose's Lime Cordial), which is a staple in bars and often the go-to "lime juice." The homemade version has a fresher taste because it's made with fresh lime juice and it doesn't include the high fructose corn syrup, unnatural preservatives, or dyes found in Rose's. Instead, it relies on citric acid to boost the lime's natural tartness and act as a preservative. If you want a tongue-tingling level of tartness and a hint of bitterness, add the tartaric acid as well.

Lime cordial is not intended to drink on its own but is perfectly tart and sweet for mixed drinks. That can be something as simple as mixing it with soda for a refreshing drink that's also called a lime cordial or using it to make a lime and tonic. In co*cktails, it's famously the essential ingredient for a gimlet, though other popular bar drinks rely on it as well.

What You'll Need to Make This Lime Cordial Recipe

A Nice Saucepan

A Sharp Paring Knife

An Airtight Container

“Making this Lime Cordial is super-simple and creates a mixture as deliciously tart and sweet as bottled lime cordial but with no preservatives or high fructose corn syrup. A great addition to any number of lime-forward co*cktails, and also nice to have on hand to add to a tall glass of iced club soda.” —Joan Velush

Learn How to Make Your Own Lime Cordial for Gimlets & More (4)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

3/4 teaspoon citric acid
1/2 teaspoon tartaric acid, optional
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups water
Peel from 3 limes, cut into pieces or grated
2/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, from about 3 large limes

Steps to Make It

Gather the ingredients.
In a small bowl, stir together the citric acid and tartaric acid, if using, into the sugar.
Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the sugar-citric acid mixture.
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Stir constantly until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Remove the pan from the heat, add the lime peel and juice, and stir well. Place it back on the stove, reduce the heat to low, and simmer about 2 minutes.
Remove from heat, cover, and let cool completely, about 1 hour.
Pour the mix into a tightly sealed container and refrigerate overnight.
Strain out and discard the lime peels using a fine-mesh strainer.
Pour the cordial into a clean bottle with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for another day before using it. Use it in your favorite drinks and enjoy!

Tips

To get the maximum amount of lime juice, let the limes reach room temperature and roll the fruit with firm pressure between your hand and the cutting board before juicing.
You can find citric acid in many grocery stores and tartaric acid online, at homebrew and wine suppliers, or natural food stores.
The citric acid extends the shelf life of the lime cordial when compared to other homemade syrups. Keep it refrigerated and use it within 4 months for the best flavor.

Homemade Lime Syrup

As an alternative to the lime cordial recipe, you can skip the acids and create a quick lime syrup in less than an hour. It has a similar flavor and all you need is sugar, water, and lime juice. The acids are preservatives and flavor enhancers, so you will not be missing out on much. However, adding 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid will make the flavor pop (that's why it's used in almost every soda).

Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a soft boil in a saucepan.
Add 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Remove from the heat and allow it to cool before bottling and storing it in the fridge. Use it within 1 month if you don't include citric acid.

How to Use the Lime Cordial

To make a lime cordial drink, pour 1 to 2 ounces of cordial into a glass filled with ice and top with club soda or ginger ale to taste.
For lime and tonic, mix 1 to 1 1/2 ounces of lime cordial with about 6 ounces of tonic water.
Add a shot of lime cordial to a light lager. It is similar to a chelada or adding a lime wedge to your favorite Mexican beer.
Beyond the gimlet, lime cordial is a key ingredient in the key lime pie martini.
When you're in the mood for a shot, mix up a snakebite with Yukon Jack. Rose's is also the most common "lime juice" used in a cement mixer.
Use the lime cordial in other drink recipes that call for lime juice or lime syrup. Keep in mind that the taste is a little different than both of those ingredients. To create a balanced drink, you'll want to make adjustments to the amount of cordial you pour.

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Non-Alcoholic Drinks
co*cktail Basics
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Recipe Tags:

lime drink
mocktail
homemade cordial
american

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