Glass of citron presse with sliced lemon and mint

Cheers to Second Chances with this Citron Pressé recipe

2nd July 2024

The clink of glasses. The bright scent of citrus. Dappled tones of yellow and green dancing around you. These are the uplifting and romantic delights of summer! I hope my recipe for Citron Pressé will give you the chance to enjoy all that July has to offer.

Inspired by the classic French beverage featured in my novel The Château of Second Chances, this simple and refreshing recipe is perfect for sharing with your family and friends on a warm summer evening. Cheers, or santé, to second chances!

Sun drenched countryside chateau in background with book cover and bunting in front

Ingredients

Makes 4-6 portions

Prep time: 15 mins

5 unwaxed lemons

250g sugar

Tray of ice cubes

Cold water, approx. 1.5 litres

1 unwaxed lime, optional

50g cucumber, optional

Sprigs of fresh mint or basil, optional

Image of Citron Presse in a glass on a yellow background and text 'Second Chances Citron Presse'

Instructions

Make a simple syrup

Add 250g sugar to a saucepan of 250ml water and heat gradually over a medium heat. Stir occasionally until the liquid clears. This means the sugar has dissolved and is ready to be taken off the heat. Leave the syrup to cool down before decanting into a serving jug.

Squeeze the lemons

While the syrup cools, squeeze the juice of 4 lemons and sieve to remove any pulp and pips. Pour into a jar for serving later.

Slices to decorate

Thinly slice the lemon you didn’t squeeze and remove any pips from the segments. For a fun twist on this classic treat, you can also thinly slice a lime and 50g cucumber. These may be added to glasses for a fresh and vibrant feel!

Bring it all together

Traditionally, each element of citron pressé is served separately so your guests can choose the strength of their drink.

Simply prepare a litre pitcher of cold (still or sparkling) water and ice cubes. Serve this alongside 4-6 drinking glasses and the jug of simple syrup, lemon juice and fruit slices you made earlier.

A sprig of mint or basil can bring extra fragrance to this recipe! You might like to decorate your table with a lovely herb pot for an elegant, natural look.

Birds eye view of Citron Presse in a glass with ice, lemon, cucumber and a sprig of mint