What To Do With Leftover Lemons (Besides Lemonade)

I have an unfortunate habit of buying bags of lemons and promptly not using them. I do so with the best intentions to create all manner of citrusy delights; honestly, I really do – and when I see those vibrant yellow ovals in the supermarket, I can’t be stopped. Into the basket they go! And then, around five days later, they sit, shrivelled and crying out for attention, in my fruit bowl. 

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I know I’m throwing money away. And it’s probably time to stop. So, partly to make me get up and actually use the damn things, I’ve put together a short list of things we can all do with leftover lemons that aren’t just “turn them into lemonade,” as delicious as it is. 

Make Limoncello

We’re still smack bang in the middle of summer, and that means limoncello is a perfectly viable drink at any time (it is throughout the rest of the year, too, but it hits different when it’s hot). It’s also very easy to make your own version at home, and Great Italian Chefs has provided us with the know-how. Peel the zest from eight large unwaxed lemons (without any of the pith), and place them in a jar with a liter of vodka. Leave it to steep for up to two weeks, then strain it, and combine it with a sugar syrup made from 450 grams of sugar and a liter of water.

And…hey presto, limoncello! This bright, sweet, sunny liqueur will last for around a year in your fridge. It might only make it through a couple of parties, though.

Freeze The Juice

Did you know that you can freeze lemon juice for, in theory, up to a year, and it’ll still be just as good? While I’d recommend a hard stop for using it at around three months or so, to ensure the best flavor and reduce any risk of freezer burn, lemon juice’s shelf life can be extended significantly by popping it in some ice cube trays and stashing it away. Just make sure your container’s airtight (either get a tray with a lid on it, or decant the cubes and put them in a Ziploc bag).

Create Your Own Sour Mix

Making a whiskey sour? A Tom Collins? A margarita? You’ll need a sour mix, and your leftover lemons are the way to do it. In my opinion, premade sour mixes are overpriced for what they are (which is, essentially, a combination of simple syrup, lemon juice, and lime juice), and you can make one in minutes. A standard recipe is one part syrup to one part lemon juice and a ½ part lime juice (so it’s a great way to use up limes, too). Once prepared, it’ll stay at its best in the fridge for a couple of weeks, although you can freeze it – again in an airtight container – for up to three months. 

Dye Your Hair With It

Remember doing this as a kid? It’s still in fashion, people (okay, maybe not, but if you’ve ever wanted some slightly blonder tresses, here’s your chance). Slice those lemons, and rub them on your head.