Lemon, Lime and Bitters Recipe
Lemonade, lime cordial and Angostura bitters. Australia's pub classic.
Lemon, Lime and Bitters, or LLB, is an Australian mixed drink of lemonade (clear lemon-lime soda), lime cordial and a few dashes of Angostura bitters over ice. It is sold as a non-alcoholic drink, although the bitters add a trace of alcohol. It is tangy, lightly spiced and pink at the top of the glass.
Ingredients
- 4 dashes Angostura bitters
- 15 ml Lime cordial Such as Bickford's or Rose's
- 150 ml Lemonade Clear lemon-lime soda such as Sprite, chilled
- 1 slice Lemon or lime For the garnish
Garnish: Lemon or lime slice
How to Make a Lemon, Lime and Bitters
- Dash the bitters into a tall glass and swirl to coat the inside.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Add the lime cordial.
- Top with chilled lemonade.
- Stir gently and garnish with a slice of lemon or lime.
Tips for a Better Lemon, Lime and Bitters
- Coat the glass with bitters first. It spreads the flavour and gives the pink blush at the top.
- For a less sweet drink, use half lemonade and half soda water.
- In Australia and the United Kingdom, lemonade means a clear lemon-lime soda. In the United States, use Sprite or 7UP, not cloudy lemonade.
About the Lemon, Lime and Bitters
Lemon, Lime and Bitters is often called Australia's national drink. It is thought to have started in Australian golf clubs, where it was the customary drink after a round, and it spread from there to pubs, restaurants and bowling clubs across Australia and New Zealand.
It grew out of the British colonial habit of adding bitters to drinks, as in the pink gin. Angostura aromatic bitters, made in Trinidad since the 19th century, is the standard, and Australia is widely reported to be among the biggest consumers of Angostura bitters per person because of this one drink.
Bottled and canned versions are sold in Australia by brands such as Bundaberg and Schweppes. Outside Australia and New Zealand the drink is little known, which makes it one of the easiest ways to offer guests something new that needs no spirits.
Lemon, Lime and Bitters Variations
- Fresh LLB: 15ml of fresh lime juice and 10ml of sugar syrup in place of the cordial.
- Soda, Lime and Bitters: soda water in place of lemonade for a drier, low-sugar drink.
- Ginger, Lime and Bitters: ginger beer in place of lemonade.
- LLB with Gin or Vodka: add 30ml of spirit for an alcoholic version.
- Virgin Mojito: another alcohol-free option, with mint and lime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in Lemon, Lime and Bitters?
How many calories are in Lemon, Lime and Bitters?
Is Lemon, Lime and Bitters alcoholic?
What does lemonade mean in this recipe?
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Can you make it with less sugar?
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