Citron Pressé

Name: Citron Pressé
Prep time: 5 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: French Menu
Ingredients: Fresh Lemons — 2; Sugar Syrup — 45 ml; Cold Water — 240 ml; Ice — As required

This quintessential French café drink is a masterclass in simplicity, featuring freshly squeezed lemon juice served alongside sugar syrup, chilled water, and ice. The unique charm of the citron pressé lies in its tableside assembly, allowing each person to customise the balance of tart and sweet to their own specific preference for a perfectly bespoke, refreshing citrus experience that is inherently elegant and classically French.

Cuisines

Cooking Instructions

Preparation: 5 minutes
Cooking: 0 minutes

Servings: 1

Notes:

The traditional experience of a citron pressé is all about the 'DIY' aspect; by bringing the lemon juice, syrup, and water to the table separately, each guest can adjust the ratio to match their personal sweet or sour tooth.

Use high-quality, freshly squeezed lemon juice to ensure the brightest possible citrus flavour, and always serve with ample crushed ice to keep the drink crisp and refreshing on a warm day.

While the classic version relies on sugar syrup, you can elevate the profile by infusing the syrup with lavender or fresh mint, adding a modern twist to this historic café staple.

If you find the syrup too thick, you can easily create a lighter version by boiling equal parts sugar and water until dissolved, then allowing it to cool completely before serving alongside the lemon juice.

For a more bubbly variation, feel free to use sparkling mineral water or soda water instead of still water, which transforms the drink into a lively, effervescent refreshment.

Juice Lemons
Squeeze the fresh lemons thoroughly to extract the juice and pour into a small serving jug or glass.

Prepare Components
Place the sugar syrup in a small container and fill a separate pitcher or carafe with cold still or sparkling water.

Serve
Arrange the jug of lemon juice, the container of sugar syrup, the carafe of water, and a bowl of ice on the table alongside tall glasses and stirring spoons.

Assemble
Allow each guest to pour their desired amount of lemon juice into their glass, add sugar syrup to taste, dilute with cold water, and finish with plenty of ice before stirring.