Lemon Cordial

Give your bottles a good soapy wash and a rinse, then leave to dry completely.

Tip the sugar into a saucepan and pour in the water. Put the pan on the stove over low heat and stir until all the sugar has dissolved.

Bring to the boil and cook for a couple of minutes, then turn off the heat and let the sugar syrup cool down.

Cut your lemons in half and squeeze the juice into a jug - you will need 1 litre of lemon juice.

Once the syrup is cool, add the lemon juice and mix.

Pour the lemon cordial into the bottles using a funnel.

Put the lids on and keep in the fridge - the cordial will last for up to a week, or follow the steps to heat process the bottles so you can store them in the pantry for up to 2 years.

Once your cordial is made, it's really easy to make a yummy lemonade drink. Fill a glass with ice, pour over 60 ml of cordial, then top up with plain or sparkling water.

If you like, you can also add a slice of lemon, some mint or any herbs from your garden. Invite your friends over to run a lemonade stall!

Get the biggest pan you have, such as a stockpot, and put it on the stovetop. Lay a folded tea towel in the bottom of the pan, then sit your filled, lidded bottles on the tea towel. Make sure your lids aren’t on too tight! Pour in enough warm water to cover the bottles, either completely or at least until three-quarters submerged. Bring to the boil over medium heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

Carefully remove the hot bottles from the water using preserving clamps or a very thick cloth. Line your bottles up on the benchtop and let them sit overnight. As they cool, a vacuum will form inside and suck down the lid, sealing them securely. These bottles can be safely stored in the pantry for up to 2 years. If you have concerns about the seal, store them in the fridge and use their contents within a few weeks.