Lemon, Lime and Bitters (Australian Pub Soft Drink)
In short: A pale pink, fizzy mix of lime cordial, lemonade and a few dashes of aromatic bitters, the classic Australian pub soft drink. It takes about 5 min in total and makes 1 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Servings
- 1
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 160 kcal
Lemon, lime and bitters, often ordered as an LLB, is the standard non-alcoholic drink at Australian pubs, barbecues and cricket matches. Lime cordial and lemonade are topped with a few dashes of aromatic bitters, which turn the glass pale pink and add a faint spiced bitterness. It is refreshing, not too sweet, and takes a minute to mix. The bitters contain a small amount of alcohol, so use fewer dashes or leave them out for anyone avoiding it entirely.
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
- Pour in the lime cordial and add the dashes of bitters.
- Tilt the glass and pour in the lemonade slowly down the side to keep the bubbles. Stir once, gently.
- Garnish with the lemon wheel and lime wedge and serve straight away.
Tips
- Chill the lemonade and the glass first. A warm drink loses its fizz quickly over ice.
- No cordial? Use the juice of 1 lime and 2 tsp sugar syrup. For a jug, mix the cordial and bitters first, then add lemonade and ice just before serving.
Questions and answers
Is lemon, lime and bitters alcoholic?
It is treated as a non-alcoholic drink, but bitters do contain alcohol. A few dashes add only a trace, and you can leave them out, though the drink then loses its pink color and spiced edge.
What is lemon, lime and bitters made of?
Lime cordial, lemonade or lemon soda, and aromatic bitters over ice. Some bars use lemon squash in place of lemonade.
Can I use sparkling water instead of lemonade?
Yes, for a less sweet drink. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and an extra teaspoon of cordial to balance it.
How long does it take to make Lemon, Lime and Bitters (Australian Pub Soft Drink)?
About 5 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Lemon, Lime and Bitters (Australian Pub Soft Drink)?
About 160 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 40 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 160 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 39 g |
| Sodium | 25 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
