Meyer Lemon Simple Syrup


The Meyer Lemon is a citrus fruit native to China. It is thought to be a cross between a true lemon and either a mandarin or common orangeIn 1908, the U.S. Department of Agriculture sent Frank Meyer, an agricultural explorer, to Asia to collect new plant species. This particular find was named in his honor.

By the mid-1940s, the Meyer lemon had become widely grown in California. It was about that time it was discovered to carry a citrus virus, and most of the Meyer lemon trees in the United States were destroyed to save other citrus trees. A virus-free selection was released in 1975, and the Meyer lemon began to be cultivated again. 



Meyer Lemon Simple Syrup is easy to make, and can be used in many delicious ways:
  • Brush cakes or cupcakes with it for extra flavor and moistness. 
  • Add a boost of flavor to homemade lemonade
  • Delicious in tea
  • Use to flavor and sweeten cocktails (such as Meyer Lemon Margaritas!)
  • Drizzle lightly onto a fresh fruit salad
  • Add a sweet citrus layer of flavor to a marinade for fish or chicken


Meyer Lemon Simple Syrup

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
peel of 2 Meyer Lemons

Use a vegetable peeler to remove the zest (colored layer of skin only) from two Meyer lemons in large strips. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the zest, sugar, and water. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil , then reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Strain out and discard the zest. Cover and refrigerate until needed. Keeps for several weeks.



Recipe by Rick Bayless

May have been shared at some of these fun parties!



36 comments:

  1. Great ideas for Meyer Lemon Simple Syrup and the photos are beautiful

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    1. Thank you, Pam! I had fun with this photo shoot! :) Thanks for the visit!!

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  2. Ooooo... I'm going to have to make this. Putting it in tea sounds delicious!

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    1. Leia, it was fun to make, and even more fun to use! :) Thank you for coming by and leaving a comment for me!

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  3. Thank you for sharing this...definitely a keeper!

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    1. Ann, I have loved having this on hand! Thank you so much for stopping by!! :)

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  4. What beautiful photos. They look so springy. I can almost taste the lemons!

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    1. Thank you, Lois- I was SO ready for Spring and citrus!! :)

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  5. yum

    I would love it if you could share this on my link party - Serenity Saturday - which goes live tomorrow morning

    Natasha @ www.serenityyou.com

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    1. I would love to, Natasha- thanks for the invitation! :)

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  6. Thanks for the history and for the recipe! Would love to have you link this to What to do Weekends also. Following. Linda

    http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/03/what-to-do-weekends-9.html

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    1. Thank you for the invitation, Linda- I will be there! :)

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  7. So easy to make and so many uses! I don't know a lot about simple syrup... Do you know- is it possible to freeze?

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    1. ...gorgeous pictures, by the way!

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    2. Mary, I have not tried freezing it, but I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't work. I will try it and let you know! Thank you for the compliment on the pictures- that photo shoot smelled SO good! ;)

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  8. This is fantastic! I wish I had this recipe when my sister-in-law sent me a whole box of meyer lemons around Christmas time.
    Thanks so much for linking up at the Real Family Fun link party.
    Hope to see you next week.
    KC

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    1. A whole box? Fantastic! :) Thanks for hosting a great party!

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  9. Thank you for sharing your recipe on Foodie Friends Friday! This recipe looks very tasty...can't wait to give it a try!

    Kelly Wells {Adorned Well}
    co-host of Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party

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    1. Kelly, the pleasure was definitely all mine! Thank you for hosting FFF!! :)

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  10. A Meyer lemon? I never heard of them! Hmm. Thanks for the info! Best wishes, Linda

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    1. Linda, I hope you can locate some...they're fun to use! Thank you for coming by!! :)

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  11. How fun! It puts me in the mood for summer and warm weather! Thanks for coming to (link) party with me at Super Saturday Show & Tell :) xoxo~ Ruthie

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    1. Ruthie, it made me think of spring and summer, too! Thanks for hosting a fun party! :)

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  12. Good Morning,
    Thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a lovely week and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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  13. Never thought of making my own syrup ! You have planted a seed ;-) Thank you for sharing at the ALL MY BLOGGY FRIENDS party!

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    1. Linda, thank you for stopping by, and thanks for hosting a great party! :)

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  14. I love your bright, sunny pictures. Thank you for linking w/ See Ya in the Gumbo. Will need this for those lovely margaritas ;-)

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    1. Thank you, Michelle- and thank you for hosting! :)

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  15. Wish I could grow them where we are but, it gets too cold in winter. They are jumbo & I love them!

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    1. I know, Theresa, me, too...although I have considered trying to grow a Meyer Lemon tree in a pot indoors? A new project! ;) Thank you for visiting!! :)

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  16. I love this! It looks perfect for spring! Definitely need to try

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    1. Summer, I just love it- I hope you'll like it, too! Thanks for coming by! :)

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  17. This was a great post! And not only because the recipe (and the photos) look great. I've always wondered what a Meyer lemon is. Now I know! Thanks :)

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    1. Yvonne, thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you will have a chance to cook with Meyer lemons! :)

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