Homemade Lime Cordial

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/10/24
Tested by Joan Velush
Lime cordial in a glass bottle with a cork, limes to the side

 The Spruce Eats

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Refrigerate: 24 hrs
Total: 24 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 32 servings
Yield: 2 cups

Lime cordial is a drink mixer with a tart lime flavor. It's a hybrid ingredient sweeter than lime juice and more sour and bitter than lime syrup; it can be a substitute for either. Useful in cocktails, 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), 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 be drunk 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 cocktails, it's famously the essential ingredient for a gimlet, though other popular bar drinks rely on it as well.

Tips for Making Lime Cordial Recipe

  • 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.
  • Where to get citric acid - You can find citric acid in many grocery stores and tartaric acid online, at homebrew and wine suppliers, or natural food stores. 
  • Extending shelf life - 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.
What You'll Need to Make This Lime Cordial Recipe
Commerce Photo Composite
A Nice Saucepan
Best Paring Knives
A Sharp Paring Knife
Bormioli Rocco Fido Glass Canning Jar
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 cocktails, and also nice to have on hand to add to a tall glass of iced club soda.” —Joan Velush

Homemade Lime Cordial/Tester Image
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

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for lime cordial recipe gathered

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  2. In a small bowl, stir together 3/4 citric acid and 1/2 teaspoon tartaric acid, if using, into 3/4 cup granulated sugar.

    Sugar combined with acid powders in a glass jar

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  3. Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the sugar-citric acid mixture.

    Sugar being poured into boiling water in a saucepan

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  4. Stir constantly until the sugar is fully dissolved.

    Sugar syrup being stirred with a wooden spoon in the saucepan

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  5. Remove the pan from the heat, add peel from 3 limes (cut into pieces or grated) and 2/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, and stir well. Place it back on the stove, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 2 minutes.

    Lime peels and lime juice added to syrup in the saucepan

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  6. Remove from heat, cover, and let cool completely, about 1 hour.

    Covered saucepan with lime syrup steeping off the heat

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  7. Pour the mix into a tightly sealed container and refrigerate overnight.

    Lime syrup poured into a a mason jar with a lid

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  8. Strain out and discard the lime peels using a fine-mesh strainer.

    Syrup being strained through a mesh strainer into a measuring cup

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  9. 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!

    Yellow lime cordial in a glass bottle with a cork lid, limes to the side

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Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

  • 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 - <ix 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 - Replace lime juice or lime syrup in recipes for lime cordial. 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.