Old Fashioned Lemon Balm and Lemon Verbena Lemonade Syrup

There are numerous recipes for lemon balm lemonade, and I have an old English recipe myself that I make regularly - but, if you find that it is sometimes a little "light" on the lemon flavour, add some lemon verbena for a super charged lemon kick! I have made this several times now and it is so refreshing and zingy, perfect for a hot summer's day. Once the syrup is made, it lasts for several weeks in the fridge, or several months in a cool dark place if you add the optional citric and tartaric acid. Serve with cold sparkling water and slices of lemon and a sprig of either lemon balm or lemon verbena.

• Ready In: 48 hrs 5 mins
• Yields: 2 Litres

Ingredients

• 450  g caster sugar
• 600  ml water
• 1  lemon, cut into two halves
• 10  large  lemon verbena leaves
• 10  large lemon balm leaves
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  tartaric or 1⁄4 teaspoon  citric acid

Directions

1. Place the sugar, lemon halves and water into a saucepan and heat until the sugar has completely dissolved.
2. Add the lemon verbena and lemon balm leaves and boil for 2 minutes; leave to cool. Add the citric or tartaric acid if using at this stage. Allow to cool and then cover and allow to infuse for 24 to 48 hours, depending on what strength you require. (I have left this for 3 days sometimes too, for a real lemon zing.).
3. Sieve through a fine mesh or colander, discarding the lemon halves and the herb leaves - then pour into clean and sterile bottle/s; seal tightly and store in a cool dark place for several months or in the fridge for several weeks.
4. To use: 1 part syrup to 4 parts water or sparkling water, to taste - add more for a stronger lemon flavour or less for a more delicate flavour. Add ice, a slice of lemon and some lemon balm or lemon verbena leaves as a garnish.