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Home » Recipes » Cocktails

Lime Simple Syrup

Published: Aug 15, 2023 by Lexi

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This Lime Simple Syrup is perfect for adding a dose of tart citrus flavor to cocktails, mocktails, salad dressings, and more. Best of all, it only takes 3 ingredients and about 5 minutes of work.

Finished lime simple syrup in a glass bottle with lime wedges around it.
Try this lime simple syrup in margaritas, daiquiris, mojitos and more.
Jump to:
  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Instructions
  • Uses for Lime Simple Syrup
  • Tips and FAQs
  • More Simple Syrup Recipes to Enjoy
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy recipe: This recipe is as simple as boil, cool, and store. It's just as easy as making regular simple syrup.
  • Stores well: You can keep this syrup in a mason jar or another sealed container in the refrigerator, or freeze it in an ice cube tray for long term storage. This recipe yields 14 fluid ounces of syrup, so one batch will last you a few weeks.
  • Versatile: This lime simple syrup packs a bright and zesty punch of citrus to cocktails, baked goods, cold and hot drinks (think iced tea), marinades and more.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this lime simple syrup:

Lime simple syrup ingredients including water and lime juice.
Always use freshly squeezed lime juice for maximum flavor.

Ingredient Notes

  • Sugar: Regular granulated white sugar is great in this recipe. It dissolves quickly and easily in water and creates a clear syrup. You can also use brown sugar or raw sugar, just note that your syrup will have a darker color and a richer flavor.
  • Lime juice: Freshly squeezed is best, as it will provide the freshest and most intense citrus flavor. The bottled stuff typically contains preservatives and just doesn't taste the same.
  • Lime slices: Whole lime slices will allow you to extract some flavor from the lime peel without needing to zest the lime. This saves time, and the wedges are much easier to strain out than zest is.

Instructions

STEP 1: Add sugar, water, and lime juice to a small saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, and let simmer for 2-3 minutes, until the sugar is fully dissolved.

STEP 2: Remove from heat and add in 2 lime slices. Let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes (or up to 30 minutes), then remove the lime slices.

The process of making the lime simple syrup in a saucepan.
Let the mixture simmer until the sugar is fully dissolved.

Uses for Lime Simple Syrup

This homemade lime simple syrup is super versatile and can be used in more than cocktails! Here are a few of our favorite ways to use it:

  • Cocktails: It can be used in place of simple syrup, agave or another liquid sweetener. It goes well with gin, vodka, tequila and whiskey. Try it in some of our favorite drinks that use simple syrup:
    • Rum Moscow Mule
    • Kentucky Mule
    • Amaretto Stone Sour
    • Grapefruit Paloma
    • Perfect for margaritas: Pineapple Margarita, Pineapple Coconut Margarita, Rum Margarita
  • Mocktails/cold drinks: Add it to a non-alcoholic drink to add a splash of tart and citrusy flavor. It would be delicious in iced tea, lemonade, or a simple spritzer with sparkling water. You can also try it in these mocktail recipes:
    • Margarita Mocktail
    • Tequila Sunrise Mocktail
    • Blue Lagoon Mocktail
  • Stir it into yogurt, chia pudding, oatmeal or overnight oats as a sweetener.
  • Desserts: Use it to add flavor to cakes, cupcakes and cheesecakes. It can also be used as a glaze for pound cakes/bundt cakes or drizzled over ice cream.

Tips and FAQs

  • Refrigerator storage: You can store this simple syrup in a mason jar or any other sealed container and stash it in the fridge, where it'll keep for up to 3-4 weeks. If you notice an off smell or mold anywhere in the container, discard. It's important to store it in an airtight container to extend the shelf life.
  • Freezer storage: Freeze in an ice cube tray and defrost one or two cubes at a time when you need some simple syrup. When frozen, it should keep for 3-6 months, so you can enjoy it any time.
  • Don't boil for too long: If the simple syrup boils for too long, it will thicken up a bit too much. After 3 or so minutes, be sure to remove from heat to cool.
    • If it gets too thick, stir in a splash of water or lime juice to thin it out.
  • This simple syrup is great as a DIY gift! Store it in a pretty glass container, wrap a ribbon around the top with a label, and you've got an awesome host/hostess or holiday gift on your hands!
    • You could even add a dehydrated lime slice to the ribbon to highlight the flavors.
    • Pair it with a bottle of our homemade infused alcohol for an extra special gift.
Overhead of the finished lime simple syrup in a saucepan.
Store a batch of this lime simple syrup in the fridge for up to several months.

More Simple Syrup Recipes to Enjoy

  • Overhead of the orange simple syrup in a saucepan with orange slices in it.
    Orange Simple Syrup
  • Finished cinnamon simple syrup in a glass bottle.
    Cinnamon Simple Syrup
  • Close up of finished brown sugar simple syrup in a spoon.
    Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
  • Close up of finished pumpkin spice simple syrup in a bottle.
    Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup

Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook or by subscribing to our newsletter.

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📖 Recipe

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Finished lime simple syrup in a glass bottle.

Lime Simple Syrup


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  • Author: Lexi
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 14 fluid ounces
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This Lime Simple Syrup is perfect for adding a dose of tart citrus flavor to cocktails, mocktails, salad dressings, and more. Best of all, it only takes 3 ingredients and about 5 minutes of work. 


Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 lime slices


Instructions

  1. Add sugar, water, and lime juice to a small saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, and let simmer for 2-3 minutes, until the sugar is fully dissolved. 
  2. Remove from heat and add in 2 lime slices. Let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes (or up to 30 minutes), then remove the lime slices.

Notes

Don't boil for too long: If the simple syrup boils for too long, it will thicken up a bit too much. After 3 or so minutes, be sure to remove from heat to cool. If it gets too thick, stir in a splash of water or lime juice to thin it out.

Refrigerator storage: You can store this simple syrup in a mason jar or any other sealed container and stash it in the fridge, where it'll keep for up to 3-4 weeks. If you notice an off smell or mold anywhere in the container, discard. It's important to store it in an airtight container to extend the shelf life.

Freezer storage: Freeze in an ice cube tray and defrost one or two cubes at a time when you need some simple syrup. When frozen, it should keep for 3-6 months, so you can enjoy it any time.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It may vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 tbsp
  • Calories: 57
  • Sugar: 14.4 g
  • Sodium: 0.7 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 0 g

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Tag @crowded_kitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #crowdedkitchen

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Lexi and Beth toasting with wine.

Hi, we're Lexi and Beth, a mother-daughter team from Michigan. The recipes you'll find here are a reflection of how we bring our family together around the dinner table despite various dietary differences.

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