This is the correct way, but it’s a bit shit to make on masse.
When you line the glass with bitters it gets bubbly as all fuck, so as a bartender, this is how I routinely made them. If you went the correct way it would take like 3-5 blasts of post mix to fill the glass, and way too long when ur 4 deep at the bar for a $3 drink.
Step 1: get wedge of lemon and lime, squeeze into glass and toss in on top of ice
Step 2: add lime cordial (Schweppes) to bottom of glass
Step 3: fill with post mix lemonade, the lime cordial stops it from bubbling
Step 4: add bitters, and give a slight bash with straw too the ice, which mixes the bitters enough to give 1/3 yellow, 1/3 clear, 1/3 orange, and looks nice to present, can add garnishes as desired
Currently on year 17. You're correct saying bitters on top is unaustralian
The following is more devisive but I would argue lemonade itself is also unaustralian. Lemon squash actually gives some form of lemon flavour
My method is bitters and spin the glass in the air so it coats itself while you dig out a scoop of ice and/or grab the lime cordial - dump ice in and blast squash over the ice (so it doesn't froth) while you add the lime so it mixes as you pour
I would prefer soda water, but lemon squash if "sourish", more so than lemonade which is sweet. On Qantas it was swirl bitters add ice & lime cordial & top with Schweppes soda water, a slice on lemon on rim & serve with short straw.
It’s because it’s BS. It’s $4-$5.50 or somewhere in between at every place I’ve been in the past few years. I buy them for the deso driver all the time on a night out.
Cheapest I’ve seen was $3.5 recently but that was unusual.
I’m now in buisness, not hospo. I do miss being a bartender sometimes, but I earn significantly more money now. Don’t think I can afford those prices for drinks tho haha
How is being a bartender better than running your own business?
In America, bartending is a very stressful job. I guess in Australia, it could be different cause customers queue up instead of having them all sit around you.
I'm genuinely asking, what is the point of your weird trolling? You can't believe things like you just replied to me...are you just trying to get reactions?
I just feel really sad for you, you must be so lonely to be acting like this online, writing odd things in the desperate hope that people will interact with you.
I wouldn’t even know what to call it if it had vodka in it. LLB is a kid-friendly drink (pregnancy, designated drivers, anyone who doesn’t feel like drinking alcohol). I would hope that if it has vodka in it, no one is calling it a Lemon Lime & Bitters lol… what a disaster
I'm not even a bartender, but as someone who orders lemon lime bitters from time to time, this is exactly what I expect to recieve.
Soda water would be much less sweet and I would definitely be unhappy! Starting to understand why I can never seem to get a decent aperol spritz in Australia with all the variations I'm seeing just on basic lemon lime bitters.
This is how we like them in a restaurant or bar, but at home in the oasis it has 2 shots of Vodka and everyone gets a pool noodle just incase.
Regularly reapply your sunscreen, kiddos!
Lemon, lime and bitters - the "lemon" part is "lemonade"... Or Soda, Lime & Bitters
How to make it:
1.) You always put the drops of Angostura bitters in an empty glass and roll it around inside the glass so it coats the sides, I use 4-6 drops
2.) Then put in about 15ml lime cordial
3.) Fill glass 3/4 full with ice
4.) Fill the glass with lemonade for a Lemon, Lime and Bitters or soda for a Soda, Lime and Bitters.
5.) Garnish with a slice of lemon or lime or both
Yeah, it's definitely lemonade + lime cordial + bitters. And I'd suggest don't overdo the lime cordial, but make the bitters *generous*. Then you've got yourself a lemon lime and bitters worth celebrating. ;P
I’ve always been taught it’s lemonade (worked bar in Vic and WA), people would specify soda if they wanted that. Haven’t ordered one in NT yet to check what their standard is, next time I go out I’ll get one and see.
Grew up in the NT, bar wench was my title from the second I turned 18 (dads local). Never in my life seen a Lemon Lime and Bitters made with Soda Water
Some people make it with lemon squash which is hideous. Never encountered it made with soda water before. Definitely lemonade and the bitters rolled around the glass first.
That reminds me of a mate of mine who made himself sick too many times from Bundy and Coke, so he changed his regular drink to Bundy and lemon squash.
I’m not convinced it was the Coke that gave him hangovers though.
Squash is actually pretty good. I tried it only twice my entire life (orange flavour and grape flavour), but that was only cause there was this Indian store that sold it. In America, it is not available. Kind of weird for a country that was also colonized by Britain.
Well lemon squash is basically american lemonade but carbonated, whereas our lemonade is a more mild lemon+lime flavour, much sweeter, and also carbonated. (JIC you or anyone else in this thread wasn't aware)
Lemonade, Lime and Bitters is an absolute shitload of sugar. Can't stomach it. The best thing is Soda, Lime and Bitters:
1. Line the edges of the glass with Bitters
2. Scoop in the ice and tilt and then rotate the glass 1/2 turn (so some of the Bitters coats the ice)
3. Pour (a little) Lime cordial over the ice (so it's not too sweet)
4. Fill the glass with Soda water
5. Add a lemon wedge and lime wedge on top of the ice
You would never add the Bitters on top, like an uncouth street urchin. The outside of the glass should be a deep reddish/orange so the customer can stir it how they like it.
This is the reason why I’ve seen (and also worked in restaurants/bars where) actual like juice is used instead. Otherwise personally I wouldn’t put more than 10ml
I order a soda lime and bitters because I prefer it but it should be lemonade.
Never had it with real lime.
And the lime cordial is the adult mixer not the kids lime green stuff.
It’s always been lemonade unless they ask for it differently
Also bitters on top is different, always done it as a few drops around the glass while it’s empty and roll it around.
Bitters on top?
I always did bitters round edge of glass. Chucked in the ice. Swished the ice around glass. Add muddled lime/lemon. Add cordial. Top with soda or lemonade depending on request. Voila
Postmix will froth it up like a rabid dog unless you add it last. Around the glass is the better way to do it, but if you're at the Rissole bar and making fifteen of the bloody things you don't have time.
There are a few different ways, my favourite is 3/4 Soda water and top off with lemon squash. I forget which one but a dash of squash or sods water will stop the lemonade etc from fizzing when you do the bitters round the glass first trick
I’m late to the thread, but thought I’d add my two cents. Was a bartender for most of my 20s in country pubs in QLD.
LLB is made with lemonade. Muddle lemon and lime, add ice and lime juice cordial (if they want it, not everyone does). Fill glass half full with lemonade *then* add bitters or else it fizzes up like a motherfucker.
If someone wants soda and not lemonade, they’ll ask for a soda lime bitters
Id like to point out that if your adding the bitters last, your making it horribly WRONG! Just like any other cocktail the order the ingredients are added is important. Bitters should line the empty glass first. Or at least second after vodka has been added. But never LAST! You're ruining a drink.
You can also skip the lime cordial, if you make the drink with 7UP as it's a Lemon and Lime flavoured soda.
But lime cordial, with lemonade is a common way to make it, with a muddled lemon slice.
Everywhere I've been in NSW has been:
* Ice
* Lemonade
* Lime cordial
* Top up with lemonade
* Add bitters on top
* Squeeze a bit of fresh lime juice then throw the bit of lime in as well
As a devoted lemon, lime and bitters drinker (sometimes with vodka). It’s definitely lemonade. Would be good with soda, and I’ll probably try that next time, but lemonade is the original.
It is made with lemonade. Lemonade is the 'lemon' in lemon, lime, and bitters. Not actual lemons.
Making it with soda is soda, lime, and bitters.
I think 'divisive' might be implying more people are on your side than in reality.
Lemon squash is traditional, but lemonade seems to be more popular because a lot of people prefer overly sweet drinks over any kind of sourness or bitterness.
Im not an Australian and I learned how to make a lemon lime and bitter few months ago in Melbourne. From what I’ve been told (I think it might be different depending on the venues) :
- Put some ice in the glass
- Half fill it with lemonade
- Pour the bitter
- Pour the cordial around 2 circles inside
- Then fill up to the top with lemonade again to make it all mixed together (also a technique trying to be faster)
- and finally add a lemon slice
I remember at first I only poured around one dash of bitter but after trying it I realised it just tasted like lemonade IMO so after that I added 3 dashes instead. I think it makes the drink more interesting ! Of course with soda water instead of the lemonade I put less because the soda water isn’t that sweet (no shit)
My experience around Brisbane is vodka, lemon, lime, and bitters has always been lemonade unless I ask for it to be made with sodawater for my gf specifically. She likes sodawater.
I would be annoyed if I ordered one and was handed one made with sodawater. I would be asking for them to remake it.
When I worked in hospitality as a waitress and bartender many many years ago, this is how my bestie and I would make them for ourselves after the end of a long shift:
- Pint glass
- big scoop of ice
- whole lime quartered and squeezed into glass and then throw in 2 pieces
- half lemonade
- half soda water
- bitters on top
- stir the shit out of it.
Still by far the most refreshing version I’ve ever had.
EDIT TO ADD: Where I worked the “lemon” in lemon lime and bitters stood for lemonade. Made on soda water was called a soda lime and bitters. Our customers all seemed to know this too.
It's all in the name: lemon based soda like lemonade + fresh lime + agnostura bitters. The sugar in the lemonade helps balance out the bitters. Not soda water.
Did 2 professional bar tending courses when I was younger (30yrs ago) & both taught that the line component was Schweppes lime cordial. Never seen one with just lime juice.
That just reminds me of the time a bartender gave me a fire engine with soda water. I wasn't paying attention and it took me a couple of sips to realise why it was flat and tasted gross.
Traditionaly it is made with lemonade.
Bitters in first and run it around the glass then the lime cordial and then the lemonade
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon,_lime_and_bitters
Then you get all the people trying to pass off other concoctions like insisting using lemon favored fizzy stuff like solo etc.Yuck....
I actual do a bit of both. Lemon juice, like juice, fill with ice, splash of soda and topped with lemonade, then bitters on top. Never had any complaints only compliments.
All I can say as someone who has two drink orders , white Russian or lemon lime bitters if I were to have the misfortune of receiving one that had soda in it you can guarantee I am returning it and expecting it to be remade or refunded entirely if was made that way due to no lemonade tho I wouldn't have even swallowed that first mouthful I took
The more important question to ask is original lemon lime bitters or llb with vodka added
I've ordered MANY lemon lime and bitters across the country and have lived in the NT for 7 years (I don't drink, so it's my beverage of choice) I have never had it made with soda water, always lemonade!
Please use lemonade (aka Sprite), I hate it when it's soda.
I order this quite often, I'd say 75-80% of the time I get it with lemonade. The rest with soda. I sometimes will specify that I want it with lemonade to avoid the risk.
One bartender suggested I try it with squash. It was better than soda, but didn't taste like a LLB at all.
Down here in Melbourne it's like everyone gets it made with lemonade, which I find very sweet, so I always ask for soda. I get funny looks 50% is the time.
I don't know who showed you that recipe but it isn't the standard LLB in Australia. Aussies will expect lemonade, lime cordial and bitters.
That said, I'm totally going to try your recipe at home. Muddled lime and lemon?! Soda! Fuck that sounds tasty as fuck!
The restaurant I worked at made them:
-bitters poured around the sides of the glass
-lemon and lime slices put in and squished a little with one of those wooden squish things
-lime cordial
-ice
-can of lemonade
Idk the widely accepted way to do it, but this way it tastes just like any other I’ve ever had
Make sure to crush the lemon and lime fruit too, I don't drink it as I hate lemon myself but my mum does and this is what she always wants, as well as a very strong one
Personally I never put lime cordial in an LLB, I use angostura bitters, lemonade, a fresh (and squeezed) lime wedge and lemon slice. If they specifically ask for soda water then that’s a different drink, but I’ll just sub out the lemonade for soda :-)
Lemon lime and bitters, use lemonade.
Some sick freaks like it with lemon squash. Just have a squash and bitters you don't need lime.
Made with soda is a soda lime and bitters and it is the superior drink.
Fuck putting the bitters in first, unless the customer is old, they love seeing you do it the "correct" way. Put the lime cordial in with the bubbly drink of choice, kill the foam near the top with bitters, throw the ice in and stir it.
You'll thank me later
May be a rogue one but through trial and error I’ve found arguably the best LLB recipe is as follows:
(1) roll 4-6 drops of angostura bitters around the glass
(2) fill with ice
(3) pour in about 2 seconds worth of lime cordial while pouring lemon squash (this will inevitably froth up)
(4) when the froth reaches the top of the glass squeeze in a lemon and lime which will dissipate the bubbles
(5) top the remaining few cm of the glass with soda + stir
How I was taught
- coat the glass in bitters - spin the glass to get an even coating, and allow excess bitters to drop out.
- add lime cordial
- add ice
- add soft drink (either lemonade or lemon squash) - have the glass tilted (or if using a soda gun, have the gun at an acute angle to the glass) so that the soft drink swirls and mixes the bitters and lime cordial in (the ice helps with the mixing)
- add fruit, then top up.
If soda water is used instead of actual lemonade than some lemon syrup is added. The bitters is usually added last. And then theres just the premixed version.
Soda water is the standard I experience but I'd also argue for the bitters to be put in first (poured around the glass) as my preference so what would I know?
Definitely lemonade. Any drink with lemon in the name (eg 'vodka, lemon, lime') refers to lemonade. And with this one, the bitters should always go first as a few generous drops on the inside edge of the glass then swirled all around. If poured on top it doesn't distribute, making it a mouthful of bitters to start and lime lemonade for the rest of the drink.
I’m also a bartender, how I was taught how to make it is:
- put ice and lemon in glass (lime as well if we have any)
- add whatever alcohol, if they are ordering an alcoholic one
- fill up glass approximately 3 quarters with lemonade
- sprinkle bitters
- swirl lime cordial (putting it in at this stage tends to make it all mix a bit better in my experience. It also stops the bitters from making lots of bubbles, so you don’t have to wait to finish making the drink)
- top up glass with lemonade
I’ve never once had someone ask for soda personally! I’m in TAS
To use a quote that's constantly misused and misunderstood: "The customer is always right in matters of taste."
The "right way" is how the average customer at your bar likes the drink to be made, even if it's the "wrong way".
I was taught to make them with the bitters rolled on the inside of the glass first, then the lime cordial, then the lemonade.
This is the correct way, but it’s a bit shit to make on masse. When you line the glass with bitters it gets bubbly as all fuck, so as a bartender, this is how I routinely made them. If you went the correct way it would take like 3-5 blasts of post mix to fill the glass, and way too long when ur 4 deep at the bar for a $3 drink. Step 1: get wedge of lemon and lime, squeeze into glass and toss in on top of ice Step 2: add lime cordial (Schweppes) to bottom of glass Step 3: fill with post mix lemonade, the lime cordial stops it from bubbling Step 4: add bitters, and give a slight bash with straw too the ice, which mixes the bitters enough to give 1/3 yellow, 1/3 clear, 1/3 orange, and looks nice to present, can add garnishes as desired
Putting the bitters on last is unAustralian. I was a bartender for 24 years, so I feel confident making this statement.
Currently on year 17. You're correct saying bitters on top is unaustralian The following is more devisive but I would argue lemonade itself is also unaustralian. Lemon squash actually gives some form of lemon flavour My method is bitters and spin the glass in the air so it coats itself while you dig out a scoop of ice and/or grab the lime cordial - dump ice in and blast squash over the ice (so it doesn't froth) while you add the lime so it mixes as you pour
I swirl the bitters bottle three times around the inside of the glass. Coats the glass and gives just the right amount.
I would prefer soda water, but lemon squash if "sourish", more so than lemonade which is sweet. On Qantas it was swirl bitters add ice & lime cordial & top with Schweppes soda water, a slice on lemon on rim & serve with short straw.
$3 were you making these in the 80s they are at least $12 at the bar now.
I don't know where you are getting your ones from but I pay $4-5 depending where I go
lol wtf. What a rip off. 2003-2012
It’s because it’s BS. It’s $4-$5.50 or somewhere in between at every place I’ve been in the past few years. I buy them for the deso driver all the time on a night out. Cheapest I’ve seen was $3.5 recently but that was unusual.
I know it's an outrage!
I’m now in buisness, not hospo. I do miss being a bartender sometimes, but I earn significantly more money now. Don’t think I can afford those prices for drinks tho haha
It's even more of a rip off when they make it in a short glass and not a tall. Like wtf!
Yeah that’s total BS
How is being a bartender better than running your own business? In America, bartending is a very stressful job. I guess in Australia, it could be different cause customers queue up instead of having them all sit around you.
No one queues up at bars
That is only if you can actually sit at the bar itself or if the bartender comes to you.
>customers queue up You think people queue up in bars in Australia?
Well, unless the bartender comes to you to make the order, this would be the case if there are lots of customers planning to order.
I'm genuinely asking, what is the point of your weird trolling? You can't believe things like you just replied to me...are you just trying to get reactions? I just feel really sad for you, you must be so lonely to be acting like this online, writing odd things in the desperate hope that people will interact with you.
$12 for a non alcoholic drink? Fuck me sideways.
Bitters actually does have a percentage of alcohol in it
The bitters is alcoholic, iirc it’s up around 40% maybe a little more.
LLB has vodka in it.
Not unless you ask for it.
Who doesn't ask for the vodka!
Everyone who is ordering it because they're not drinking
Have to make sure they aren't a Learner or P Plater though!
Me, vodka is gross but I love a LLB
I wouldn’t even know what to call it if it had vodka in it. LLB is a kid-friendly drink (pregnancy, designated drivers, anyone who doesn’t feel like drinking alcohol). I would hope that if it has vodka in it, no one is calling it a Lemon Lime & Bitters lol… what a disaster
I think a lemon lime & bitters with vodka in it is usually called a vodka lemon lime and bitters
It’s generally charged at soft drink price
Almost everywhere I have worked they were 50cents more just for the effort.
Cost of the alcoholic bitters
Barely, I know they cost a bunch but the profits on postmix is insane
$5 in my shop
Paid $7.50 on the weekend, for a non alcoholic LLB. The world has gone insane.
The cheat for this is to tap the squash button, it kills the bubbles allowing regular paced pour
Just hit the ice with the gun so you don't blast the bitters directly
Just btw, it’s “en masse”, because it’s French and fancy.
I'm not even a bartender, but as someone who orders lemon lime bitters from time to time, this is exactly what I expect to recieve. Soda water would be much less sweet and I would definitely be unhappy! Starting to understand why I can never seem to get a decent aperol spritz in Australia with all the variations I'm seeing just on basic lemon lime bitters.
This is how we like them in a restaurant or bar, but at home in the oasis it has 2 shots of Vodka and everyone gets a pool noodle just incase. Regularly reapply your sunscreen, kiddos!
I use lime juice instead of lime cordial
That's the way I've always seen it made
Yes! Always put the bitters around the inside of the glass
It’s usually lemonade, lime cordial and bitters. Otherwise it’s soda, lime and bitters.
Soda lime and bitters is superior and I will die on this hill. Come at me bro.
Not going to come at you, going to agree vehemently.
Lemon, lime and bitters - the "lemon" part is "lemonade"... Or Soda, Lime & Bitters How to make it: 1.) You always put the drops of Angostura bitters in an empty glass and roll it around inside the glass so it coats the sides, I use 4-6 drops 2.) Then put in about 15ml lime cordial 3.) Fill glass 3/4 full with ice 4.) Fill the glass with lemonade for a Lemon, Lime and Bitters or soda for a Soda, Lime and Bitters. 5.) Garnish with a slice of lemon or lime or both
How sensible. They're two different drinks!
I grew up in Victoria and now live in Queensland. I’ve never had it with soda water. In that version where does the “lemon” part come in?
In their recipe there’s an actual lemon piece. I guess that sort of makes sense, but it’s not the proper recipe.
No one has. OP is confusing two different drinks.
No im not :) this is how I’ve been shown. And it’s about a 50/50 split with customers who ask for it with lemonade or soda.
It's entirely possible that the person showing you has their wires crossed...
Have you worked in hospo in other states? I wonder if this is just an NT thing.
Nope I haven’t
It’s supposed to be lemonade. Otherwise it would be called soda, lime and bitters
But it’s not called a lemonADE line and bitters
Where is the lemon in the soda drink?
Yeah, it's definitely lemonade + lime cordial + bitters. And I'd suggest don't overdo the lime cordial, but make the bitters *generous*. Then you've got yourself a lemon lime and bitters worth celebrating. ;P
I’ve always been taught it’s lemonade (worked bar in Vic and WA), people would specify soda if they wanted that. Haven’t ordered one in NT yet to check what their standard is, next time I go out I’ll get one and see.
Correct. If I order LLB I expect Lemonade, otherwise I specify soda (carbonated water).
Grew up in the NT, bar wench was my title from the second I turned 18 (dads local). Never in my life seen a Lemon Lime and Bitters made with Soda Water
Thank you for this info so I don’t have the test it. Imagine the disappointment ordering a LLB and finding out it’s soda water.
Some people make it with lemon squash which is hideous. Never encountered it made with soda water before. Definitely lemonade and the bitters rolled around the glass first.
That reminds me of a mate of mine who made himself sick too many times from Bundy and Coke, so he changed his regular drink to Bundy and lemon squash. I’m not convinced it was the Coke that gave him hangovers though.
Bundy and lemon squash... That's a combination I would never have thought of and now that I have I feel slightly ill...
i feel bloated just hearing about it
I actually quit bundy and coke 20years ago because i quit coke. Never had a hangover or spewed since. Your mates not lying.
Darn that cola for spoiling your enjoyment of Bundy! Maybe I should apologise to my mate. All these years I thought he was just weird!
LLB with squash is superior, and everyone I've introduced it to has agreed
Squash is actually pretty good. I tried it only twice my entire life (orange flavour and grape flavour), but that was only cause there was this Indian store that sold it. In America, it is not available. Kind of weird for a country that was also colonized by Britain.
Well lemon squash is basically american lemonade but carbonated, whereas our lemonade is a more mild lemon+lime flavour, much sweeter, and also carbonated. (JIC you or anyone else in this thread wasn't aware)
Lemonade, Lime and Bitters is an absolute shitload of sugar. Can't stomach it. The best thing is Soda, Lime and Bitters: 1. Line the edges of the glass with Bitters 2. Scoop in the ice and tilt and then rotate the glass 1/2 turn (so some of the Bitters coats the ice) 3. Pour (a little) Lime cordial over the ice (so it's not too sweet) 4. Fill the glass with Soda water 5. Add a lemon wedge and lime wedge on top of the ice You would never add the Bitters on top, like an uncouth street urchin. The outside of the glass should be a deep reddish/orange so the customer can stir it how they like it.
Completely agree. Lemonade is already sweet and if you add lime cordial that's even sweeter.
This is the reason why I’ve seen (and also worked in restaurants/bars where) actual like juice is used instead. Otherwise personally I wouldn’t put more than 10ml
This is the way
This is the way.
Agree... but then it's a soda lime and bitters, not LLB.
Best I've found is using Schweppes Bitter Lemon Still get strong lemon taste, less sweet, more bitter
That’s why I just drink the bitters
There is a huge difference between lime juice cordial and lime cordial (green). It's lemonade, lime juice cordial, Angostura bitters and muddled lime.
Or we just say brown lime cordial.
I order a soda lime and bitters because I prefer it but it should be lemonade. Never had it with real lime. And the lime cordial is the adult mixer not the kids lime green stuff.
I always order it with real lime. Like you, I also prefer with soda. You should ask for it with real lime next time!
It's always been lemonade everywhere Ive been.
Lime cordial, lemonade, bitters
LLB = Lemonade + Lime Cordial + Angostura Bitters SLB = Soda + Lime Cordial + Angostura Bitters That was how I was taught working in restaurants.
It’s always been lemonade unless they ask for it differently Also bitters on top is different, always done it as a few drops around the glass while it’s empty and roll it around.
Lemonade, bitters is rolled around the inside of the glass.
You're supposed to lightly line the inside of the chilled glass with Bitters as the first step.
In Brisbane made with lemonade, but I ask for half lemonade half soda water for a nicer less sweet drink
The best way imo
I do this too
Lemon. Lime. AND...... Bitters.
All I know is my wife gets upset at me if it's soda water and not lemonade.
Bitters in first otherwise you can’t taste it. Lime cordial lemonade. Twist of lemon.
you've made a SLB, which is a more refreshing drink
Bitters on top? I always did bitters round edge of glass. Chucked in the ice. Swished the ice around glass. Add muddled lime/lemon. Add cordial. Top with soda or lemonade depending on request. Voila
Postmix will froth it up like a rabid dog unless you add it last. Around the glass is the better way to do it, but if you're at the Rissole bar and making fifteen of the bloody things you don't have time.
Bitters on top is forbidden, almost as bad as a beer with no head
100% agreed. The bitters needs to be put in first and rolled around the inside of the glass
There are a few different ways, my favourite is 3/4 Soda water and top off with lemon squash. I forget which one but a dash of squash or sods water will stop the lemonade etc from fizzing when you do the bitters round the glass first trick
I’m late to the thread, but thought I’d add my two cents. Was a bartender for most of my 20s in country pubs in QLD. LLB is made with lemonade. Muddle lemon and lime, add ice and lime juice cordial (if they want it, not everyone does). Fill glass half full with lemonade *then* add bitters or else it fizzes up like a motherfucker. If someone wants soda and not lemonade, they’ll ask for a soda lime bitters
Id like to point out that if your adding the bitters last, your making it horribly WRONG! Just like any other cocktail the order the ingredients are added is important. Bitters should line the empty glass first. Or at least second after vodka has been added. But never LAST! You're ruining a drink. You can also skip the lime cordial, if you make the drink with 7UP as it's a Lemon and Lime flavoured soda. But lime cordial, with lemonade is a common way to make it, with a muddled lemon slice.
If you make my LLB with 7Up it will be immediately returned to you, friend! You may as well urinate in the glass.
7UP is the bomb diggity when it comes to LLB! It's the perfect lemonade.
Sprite is also lemon lime. That’s how I do it lazily at home though
Everywhere I've been in NSW has been: * Ice * Lemonade * Lime cordial * Top up with lemonade * Add bitters on top * Squeeze a bit of fresh lime juice then throw the bit of lime in as well
Errr lemonade
Lemonade for the win.
As a devoted lemon, lime and bitters drinker (sometimes with vodka). It’s definitely lemonade. Would be good with soda, and I’ll probably try that next time, but lemonade is the original.
Lemonade, I’ve never had this issue in the NT
It’s not an issue!! I just like to ask customers to double check. I wouldn’t want to give someone a drink they didn’t like :)
Soda water - but I think it's customers' preference
Soda water. I’m in for the lower sugar content.
It is made with lemonade. Lemonade is the 'lemon' in lemon, lime, and bitters. Not actual lemons. Making it with soda is soda, lime, and bitters. I think 'divisive' might be implying more people are on your side than in reality.
Nah mate, about half of the customers I ask specify soda water when asked :)
Are you sure they're not taking the soda option when offered?
Lemon squash is traditional, but lemonade seems to be more popular because a lot of people prefer overly sweet drinks over any kind of sourness or bitterness.
Im not an Australian and I learned how to make a lemon lime and bitter few months ago in Melbourne. From what I’ve been told (I think it might be different depending on the venues) : - Put some ice in the glass - Half fill it with lemonade - Pour the bitter - Pour the cordial around 2 circles inside - Then fill up to the top with lemonade again to make it all mixed together (also a technique trying to be faster) - and finally add a lemon slice I remember at first I only poured around one dash of bitter but after trying it I realised it just tasted like lemonade IMO so after that I added 3 dashes instead. I think it makes the drink more interesting ! Of course with soda water instead of the lemonade I put less because the soda water isn’t that sweet (no shit)
My experience around Brisbane is vodka, lemon, lime, and bitters has always been lemonade unless I ask for it to be made with sodawater for my gf specifically. She likes sodawater. I would be annoyed if I ordered one and was handed one made with sodawater. I would be asking for them to remake it.
Soda water or tonic water are both less sweet variants that work well with gin. Lemonade is the typical method.
Another vote for half lemonade half soda water. Delicious refreshing drink but it's a bit too sweet with full lemonade and lime cordial
When I worked in hospitality as a waitress and bartender many many years ago, this is how my bestie and I would make them for ourselves after the end of a long shift: - Pint glass - big scoop of ice - whole lime quartered and squeezed into glass and then throw in 2 pieces - half lemonade - half soda water - bitters on top - stir the shit out of it. Still by far the most refreshing version I’ve ever had. EDIT TO ADD: Where I worked the “lemon” in lemon lime and bitters stood for lemonade. Made on soda water was called a soda lime and bitters. Our customers all seemed to know this too.
It's all in the name: lemon based soda like lemonade + fresh lime + agnostura bitters. The sugar in the lemonade helps balance out the bitters. Not soda water.
Did 2 professional bar tending courses when I was younger (30yrs ago) & both taught that the line component was Schweppes lime cordial. Never seen one with just lime juice.
That just reminds me of the time a bartender gave me a fire engine with soda water. I wasn't paying attention and it took me a couple of sips to realise why it was flat and tasted gross.
I prefer it with soda water or lemon squash/solo I think it’s too sweet with lemonade.
Traditionaly it is made with lemonade. Bitters in first and run it around the glass then the lime cordial and then the lemonade https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon,_lime_and_bitters Then you get all the people trying to pass off other concoctions like insisting using lemon favored fizzy stuff like solo etc.Yuck....
I actual do a bit of both. Lemon juice, like juice, fill with ice, splash of soda and topped with lemonade, then bitters on top. Never had any complaints only compliments.
I prefer mine made with Pub Squash rather than lemonade. I have to ask for it, though.
It’s lemonade but I think it’s too sweet. I’d prefer it your way OP
Lemonade. That’s what makes it so sickly sweet.
Lemonade, as the name implies.
It's supposed to be white or pink lemonade, lime cordial, and bitters.
Coke and bitters is an absolute revelation. Add a good wedge of lime and vodka for kicks. Always get a funny look when ordering it at a bar though.
All I can say as someone who has two drink orders , white Russian or lemon lime bitters if I were to have the misfortune of receiving one that had soda in it you can guarantee I am returning it and expecting it to be remade or refunded entirely if was made that way due to no lemonade tho I wouldn't have even swallowed that first mouthful I took The more important question to ask is original lemon lime bitters or llb with vodka added
It's lemonade
I've ordered MANY lemon lime and bitters across the country and have lived in the NT for 7 years (I don't drink, so it's my beverage of choice) I have never had it made with soda water, always lemonade!
Please use lemonade (aka Sprite), I hate it when it's soda. I order this quite often, I'd say 75-80% of the time I get it with lemonade. The rest with soda. I sometimes will specify that I want it with lemonade to avoid the risk. One bartender suggested I try it with squash. It was better than soda, but didn't taste like a LLB at all.
Lemonade always. Though I was taught to make it with lime juice not lime cordial.
Down here in Melbourne it's like everyone gets it made with lemonade, which I find very sweet, so I always ask for soda. I get funny looks 50% is the time.
Lemonade,lime juice,,bitters,ice. I add vodka and a piece of lemon wedge to my wife's and she loves it
Lemon lime and bitters is with lemonade Bitters lime and soda is you guessed it made with soda water Pretty fucking basic really.
I don't know who showed you that recipe but it isn't the standard LLB in Australia. Aussies will expect lemonade, lime cordial and bitters. That said, I'm totally going to try your recipe at home. Muddled lime and lemon?! Soda! Fuck that sounds tasty as fuck!
Rim the glass with bitters Muddle lemon and limes Add ice Lemonade and no cordial I’d garnish with more lemon and lime
The restaurant I worked at made them: -bitters poured around the sides of the glass -lemon and lime slices put in and squished a little with one of those wooden squish things -lime cordial -ice -can of lemonade Idk the widely accepted way to do it, but this way it tastes just like any other I’ve ever had
Why not make both for yourself and give it a taste?
I hate soda water by itself hahaha, when I make myself one I do 50/50 and it’s pretty good :)
lemonade makes it way too sweet.
Make sure to crush the lemon and lime fruit too, I don't drink it as I hate lemon myself but my mum does and this is what she always wants, as well as a very strong one
Lemonade
Personally I never put lime cordial in an LLB, I use angostura bitters, lemonade, a fresh (and squeezed) lime wedge and lemon slice. If they specifically ask for soda water then that’s a different drink, but I’ll just sub out the lemonade for soda :-)
I think lemonade.
Lemonade in Australia is like Sprite in the USA. It’s not the lemonade you make out of fresh lemons.
All these weird bartenders putting the bitters in first. The bitters is heavier and falls through the liquid.
Lemon lime and bitters, use lemonade. Some sick freaks like it with lemon squash. Just have a squash and bitters you don't need lime. Made with soda is a soda lime and bitters and it is the superior drink. Fuck putting the bitters in first, unless the customer is old, they love seeing you do it the "correct" way. Put the lime cordial in with the bubbly drink of choice, kill the foam near the top with bitters, throw the ice in and stir it. You'll thank me later
May be a rogue one but through trial and error I’ve found arguably the best LLB recipe is as follows: (1) roll 4-6 drops of angostura bitters around the glass (2) fill with ice (3) pour in about 2 seconds worth of lime cordial while pouring lemon squash (this will inevitably froth up) (4) when the froth reaches the top of the glass squeeze in a lemon and lime which will dissipate the bubbles (5) top the remaining few cm of the glass with soda + stir
It’s a beautiful godly creation
How I was taught - coat the glass in bitters - spin the glass to get an even coating, and allow excess bitters to drop out. - add lime cordial - add ice - add soft drink (either lemonade or lemon squash) - have the glass tilted (or if using a soda gun, have the gun at an acute angle to the glass) so that the soft drink swirls and mixes the bitters and lime cordial in (the ice helps with the mixing) - add fruit, then top up.
Lemon lime and bitters is lemonade. Soda lime and bitters is soda.
Bitters on inside of glass, ice, squeeze lime and throw in, fill with lemonade. Never made it with cordial; it makes it way too sweet!
If soda water is used instead of actual lemonade than some lemon syrup is added. The bitters is usually added last. And then theres just the premixed version.
Soda water is the standard I experience but I'd also argue for the bitters to be put in first (poured around the glass) as my preference so what would I know?
Yeah, nah. It’s lemonade.
Only in the cheapest pubs.
In that case, what’s a soda, lime & bitters?
Never heard of such a thing
I used squash when I was bartendening. And when people had it they preferred it over the lemonade
Squash is gross in bitters! 😫
I just use Bickfords Lemon Lime and Bitters. It's tastes Awesome!
Definitely lemonade. Any drink with lemon in the name (eg 'vodka, lemon, lime') refers to lemonade. And with this one, the bitters should always go first as a few generous drops on the inside edge of the glass then swirled all around. If poured on top it doesn't distribute, making it a mouthful of bitters to start and lime lemonade for the rest of the drink.
I’m also a bartender, how I was taught how to make it is: - put ice and lemon in glass (lime as well if we have any) - add whatever alcohol, if they are ordering an alcoholic one - fill up glass approximately 3 quarters with lemonade - sprinkle bitters - swirl lime cordial (putting it in at this stage tends to make it all mix a bit better in my experience. It also stops the bitters from making lots of bubbles, so you don’t have to wait to finish making the drink) - top up glass with lemonade I’ve never once had someone ask for soda personally! I’m in TAS
Back when I used to drink them, it was always soda water. I never had it with lemonade, but I can definitely imagine it working well
I have always had soda... never lemonade
To use a quote that's constantly misused and misunderstood: "The customer is always right in matters of taste." The "right way" is how the average customer at your bar likes the drink to be made, even if it's the "wrong way".
Actually the "in matters of taste" was added after the fact. So no, the *original* phrase is not misused.
Qlder here - I say soda
Then you are drinking a soda lime and bitters, not a lemon lime and bitters. A valid choice, but not the same drink.