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    You are here: Home / Popsicles / Lemon, lime and bitters popsicles

    Lemon, lime and bitters popsicles

    Published: May 28, 2020 · Modified: Nov 22, 2022 by Sarah Brooks

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    These lemon, lime, and bitters popsicles are a refreshing twist on a classic Australian drink. The perfect treat for a hot summer's day or any day.

    Lemon, lime and bitters popsicles with fresh lemon and limes.

    In case you haven't heard of it Lemon, Lime, and Bitters is a nonalcoholic drink commonly served in bars, pubs, and restaurants in Australia. If fact it's so popular according to some reports its the second most ordered soft drink with a meal, after coco-cola.

    I never knew but the drink is an Australian invention. It's traditionally made with Angostura Bitters. In the 1840s Angostura Bitters was used on British Royal Navy ships to treat seasickness so the story goes. Lemonade and bitters became all the rage in the colonies and in London back home. At some point, the lime was added. The drink itself is traditionally made in a highball glass with a shot of the lime cordial top, topped with lemonade or lemon soda, and finished with a slide of lemon or lime and a couple of dashes of Angostura Bitters on top. This basic recipe is still made all over Australia and is a refreshing nonalcoholic alternative.

    In this recipe, I've pumped up the citrus with fresh lemon and lime juice, topped with zest-infused sugar syrup and a few good dashes of Angostura Bitters. Angostura Bitters is readily available from liquor shops. You can substitute it with other fresh bitters if you want or leave it out altogether.

    Either way, these are a deliciously refreshing treat on a hot summer's day or any day for that matter.

    Looking fore more tangy citrus desserts? Why not try making my fabulous homemade lemon ice cream. Luscious, creamy and bursting with lemon flavor! Or fresh and juicy lemonade popsicles or lime popsicles. Delicious!

    To make the lemon, lime and bitters popsicles

    LLB popsicle ingredients
    Cutting zest strips off lemons
    Cutting zest strips off limes

    Use a small sharp knife to carefully cut zest strips off one lemon and two limes. Try not to go too deep into the fruit if you can help it. The white pith underneath the skin is bitter (and not in a good way). You want enough skin on the lemon and limes to juice them afterward.

    Adding sugar to pot
    Adding zest to pot
    Adding water to pot

    Add the zest strips to a small saucepan along with the sugar and half a cup of water. Stir on low heat until the sugar is dissolved, then put a lid on the pot and simmer on low for five minutes. Do not boil. You want to slowly infuse the oils and aromatics from the zest. If you boil it they will boil off.

    Turn off the heat and leave the pot on the stove for at least ten minutes to cool, longer if you can.

    Juicing lemons
    Juicing limes

    Juice the lemons and limes until you have half a cup each of lemon and lime juice. This was about three and a half lemons and four limes on this occasion. It will entirely depend on how big and how juicy your lemons and limes are, which is why I give juice measures in cups, not x many limes, etc.

    There are a few ways of getting more juice out of your citrus. You can roll them on a board or try popping them into the microwave for about fifteen to twenty seconds. Either way, you will get a lot more juice out with a citrus juicer than you will by hand.

    Strain the lemon and lime juice and add to a large jug. Remove the zest from the cooled sugar syrup and add to the lemon and lime juice.

    Straining juice
    Adding bitters to mix

    Add the Angostura Bitters. Top up the water to make a total volume of 2 ½ cups (600ml) and stir well.

    Hot tip: Make sure there is enough room in your freezer for you popsicle moulds Before you fill them and try to put them in the freezer, or their will be tears!

    Pouring mix into moulds
    filled popsicle moulds

    Fill the popsicle molds. For added prettiness, you can pop the molds in the freezer for a few hours, then poke in some thinly sliced lime and pop a few extra drops of bitters on top, then add the sticks. Otherwise, add the sticks when you fill the molds.

    Freezer overnight for at least 12 hours.

    Lemon Lime Bitters Popsicle single

    Remove from molds and enjoy! These lemon, lime and bitters popsicles are the perfect refreshing treat for a hot summer's day or any day!

    Looking for more homemade popsicle recipes?

    Why not try making my

    • Jello Popsicles
    • Pineapple Cherry Popsicles
    • Orange Popsicles
    • Lemonade Popsicles

    Have you made this recipe? Tell me how it when in the comment below and tag me on socials so I can see your delicious creations!

    @KCAEIC or #KCAEIC

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    Lemon lime bitters popsicles on diagonal
    Lemon, lime and bitters popsicles with fresh lemon and limes.

    Lemon, lime and bitters popsicles

    Author: Sarah Brooks
    These lemon, lime and bitters popsicles are refreshing twist on a classic Australian drink. The perfect treat for a hot summers day or any day!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Freezing time 12 hrs
    Total Time 12 hrs 10 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine Australian
    Servings 6 popsicles, 3.4oz (100ml) each
    Calories 87 kcal

    Equipment

    • Popsicle molds and sticks

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup lemon juice
    • ½ cup lime juice
    • ½ cup (110gms) granulated sugar
    • ½ teaspoon Angostura Bitters *optional
    • water - to top up total mix volume to 2 ½ cups (600ml)

    Instructions
     

    • With a sharp knife cut zest strips off one lemon and two limes
    • Add sugar, lemon and lime zest and half a cup of water to a small pan.
    • Simmer on low heat until sugar is dissolved. Put a lid on the pan and continue to simmer on low for five minutes.
    • Turn off heat and leave to cool for ten minutes.
    • Juice lemons and limes. Strain and add to a large jug.
    • Once syrup is cool, remove zest and add to jug with lemon and lime juice.
    • Add Angostura Bitters
    • Top water in jug so its all 2 ½ cups (600ml) in total, mix well
    • Pour into moulds and add sticks
    • Freeze overnight or at least 12 hours
    • Remove from moulds and enjoy!

    Notes

    These popsicles pack a strong sour punch.  If you don't like strong flavors reduce the amount of lemon and lime juice to ⅓ cup each.  
    Angostura Bitters are readily available from liquor shops from large stores such as Amazon, Walmart and Tesco in the USA and UK.  
    You can substitute with another type of bitters such as orange bitters or leave it out altogether if you want.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 87kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.003gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 45mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 11IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 0.05mg

    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate based on an online database. The nutritional content of ingredients may vary by brand. If you require accurate nutritional information, you should calculate this based on the specific brands and products you are using.

    Keywords: icy pole, popsicle
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Lemon, lime and bitters popsicles with fresh lemon and limes.
    Refreshing lemon, lime and bitters popsicles.

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    Comments

    1. Sylvie

      June 01, 2020 at 1:08 am

      5 stars
      Lemon Lime and Bitters is one of my husbands favourite drink - he would absolutely ADORE these popsicles!! Will have to make them for him when summer comes around 🙂

      Reply
    2. Bec

      June 02, 2020 at 2:31 am

      These look and sound amazing! I look forward to making them when the weather warms up.

      Reply
    3. Jaimie

      June 02, 2020 at 2:48 am

      5 stars
      That's my kinda popsicle! Saved for when the weather warms up 😀

      Reply
    4. Alex

      June 02, 2020 at 8:49 am

      5 stars
      These sound lovely and refreshing - I shall look forward to trying them! I love LLB!!

      Reply
    5. Sally

      June 02, 2020 at 10:04 am

      5 stars
      I love lemon lime and bitters on a hot day so this looks like the perfect alternative!

      Reply
    6. Gavin

      June 02, 2020 at 9:15 pm

      5 stars
      LOVING the addition of bitters - super refreshing combo but that little kick from the bitters is GREAT!

      Reply

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