What to Do with Candied Lemon Cooking Liquid
The cooking liquid from candied lemon is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of ways. It has a sweet and tart flavor that is perfect for adding a touch of complexity to your favorite dessert or flavored water.
So you baked a delicious Lemon Cake, and you are left with the cooked lemon water and extra candied lemon slices. What do you do with them? There are a few options, but first, let’s review a few things.
The cooking liquid from candied lemon is obtained after cooking the lemon slices with sugar, lemon juice, and water for about 15 minutes. No matter how you choose to use it, the cooking liquid from candied lemon is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of ways. So next time you make candied lemon, don’t throw away the cooking liquid! Save it and use it to add a touch of sweetness and tartness to your favorite dishes.

There are many ways you can use the cooking liquid from candied lemon.
Don’t throw it away! Lemon cooking liquid is a valuable resource that can be used in a variety of ways. Instead of throwing it away, try one of the following ideas:
- Make infused lemon water: use the liquid to add to drinking water.
- Make ice cubes: freeze the lemon cooking liquid to make ice cubes.
- Use it as a glaze for desserts. Candied lemon is a delicious and unique flavor that can be used to glaze cakes, cupcakes, or other desserts. Simply brush the glaze over the top of the dessert and let it set before serving. If the lemon cooking liquid is too tart, add a little sugar or honey to taste to make the glaze. If the lemon cooking liquid is too thin, you can simmer it until it has thickened slightly.
- Add it to cocktails. The bright acidity of candied lemon is a great addition to cocktails. Add a few tablespoons to a glass of sparkling water, club soda, mint or ginger tea, or lemonade.
- Use it in savory dishes. The sweet and tart flavor of candied lemon can also be used in savory dishes. Try adding it to vinaigrettes, marinades, or sauces. It would be a great addition to roasted chicken, fish, or vegetables.
- Drink it straight. Sure, you can always just drink the cooking liquid straight. It’s a delicious and refreshing way to enjoy the flavor of candied lemon. Be aware that the cooking liquid might have a strong lemony taste for many people with sensitive palates.
Here are some additional tips and ideas for using the cooking liquid from candied lemon:
- Reduce the liquid over medium heat until it thickens. This will make it easier to drizzle over desserts or use in cocktails.
- Add some lemon zest or juice to the liquid to intensify the flavor.
- Store the liquid in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
- Use it as a glaze for roasted chicken or pork.
- Add it to a vinaigrette for a flavorful salad dressing.
- Use it to make a lemony cocktail.
- Simmer it with some honey and spices to make a wintery tea.
- Add it to a batch of cookies or muffins for a sweet and tart treat.
- Use it to make lemon curd or lemon pie filling.
- Freeze it in ice cube trays for a quick and easy way to add flavor to drinks or desserts.
- Combine it with some vodka or gin to make a refreshing limoncello.
Lemon cooking liquid is the liquid that is left over after cooking food with lemon juice. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of ways. It is a refreshing drink with many purposes and a great way to practice zero waste.


How to store your candied lemon cooking liquid.
The candied lemon cooking liquid can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. It can also be frozen for up to 6 months. To store the liquid in the refrigerator, simply pour it into a clean jar or container and seal it tightly. To store the liquid in the freezer, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze. Once the cubes are frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for storage.
When you’re ready to use the candied lemon cooking liquid, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature. You can then use it to add flavor to a variety of dishes and to make your own infused lemon water.
The candied lemon cooking liquid is a versatile and flavorful ingredient that can add a touch of sweetness and acidity to various dishes. By storing the liquid in the refrigerator or freezer, you can enjoy it all year long.
Here are some additional tips for storing candied lemon cooking liquid:
- To prevent the liquid from becoming cloudy, make sure to remove any air bubbles from the jar or container before sealing it tightly.
- If you’re storing the liquid in the freezer, be sure to label the container with the date so you know how long it’s been stored.
- The candied lemon cooking liquid can be used to make a variety of other delicious dishes, such as candied lemon bars, candied lemon pound cake, and candied lemon cookies.
By practicing zero waste with lemon cooking liquid, you can help to reduce your impact on the environment.
I hope this helps!