Homemade Lemon Barley Water

A traditional homemade lemon barley water recipe that's delicious, refreshing and soothing. Just the way grandma used to make it!

This is the lemon barley water recipe that my grandma used to make when we were little children and poorly.

And just simmering it up and mixing everything together brings back lovely memories of her (not of being poorly obviously....)

It's really refreshing and a fab little pick-me up drink if you're under the weather.

And best of all it's so simple to make and uses all simple ingredients.

Homemade Lemon Barley Water Recipe

Makes – approximately 1 litre

Prep Time – 5 minutes

Cook Time – around 45 minutes 

Total Time – around 50 minutes (plus a couple of hours to cool)

Our Most Popular Alternative – Popcorn Cakes

Homemade Lemon Barley Water Ingredients

You'll just need a handful of natural ingredients to make our delicious lemon barley drink

• 125g Pearl Barley

• 50g Sugar

• 2 Lemons

• 1.2 litres boiling water

Equipment Needed

• Colander

• Sieve

• Grater

• Measuring jug

• Weighing scales

• Saucepan

• Chopping board

• Lemon juicer

• Bottle with a lid

Lemon Barley Water Recipe

You'll just love how simple this lemon barley water drink is to prepare and make

Step One - rinse the barley

• First put the barley into a colander or sieve and rinse under running cold water - then set to drain.

Step Two - grate the lemon zest

• Grate the zest of the lemons

Step Three - simmer the barley, sugar and lemon zest

• Put the barley, sugar and lemon zest into a saucepan. You can put the lemon peel in the pan and some recipes do, I feel the white pith gives a bitter taste and the zest is enough.

• Pour over 1.2 litres of boiling water - bring the pan to boil on the stovetop over a medium heat, then reduce the heat to a low simmer and boil with the lid on for around 45 minutes to an hour (check your barley packet for exact cooking times)

• Once it's cooked it should look like this - cloudy, milky water.

• Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool.

Step Four - juice the lemons

• Squeeze the juice from the two lemons

Step Five - mix up the lemon barley water

• Then pour the cooled lemon barley water through a sieve or fine mesh strainer into a jug.

Cooks Note! - Don't throw away the cooked barley, you can use it in broths, soups or stews or grain salad, just toss together with your favourite salad vegetables and dressing - store in the fridge and eat within 24 hours

• Pour the lemon juice into the barley water and stir through gently to mix.

• Pour the lemon barley water into a clean sterilised bottle and chill in the fridge.

• Store the lemon barley water in the fridge and use within 2 days as it contains no preservative.

How To Make Barley Water With Your Own Twist

• Add in zest and juice of oranges instead or as well as lemons.

• Add some warmth and finely grate in some fresh root ginger.

• Infuse the lemon barley water with spices like clove, cinnamon, fennel or juniper.

How To Serve Lemon Barley Water

• As a refreshing, hydrating alternative to tea or coffee, it's especially nice in the summer served with lots of ice and garnished with mint.

• It's soothing to sip when you're under the weather and need to keep fluids up.

• With ice on hot days - add ice (or even herby little ice cubes) add lemon slices and a straw.

Health Benefits Of Drinking Lemon Barley Water 

My grandma used to make this for us when we were children and under the weather - especially if we had a UTI she swore by it's soothing properties.  

She used to make it in exactly the same way she'd be taught when she was younger, so it was a traditional pick-me-up.

For more health benefits of drinking lemon barley water, like controlling cholesterol, reducing blood sugar and promoting weight loss check out Healthline here. 

Get more delicious fresh juice recipes here

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If you like our lemon barley water recipe then you'll love these easy drinks!

• Soothing Lemon & Ginger Drink - a homemade warm lemon, honey and ginger tea that's perfect for sipping when you have a sore throat or cold.

• Hot Blackcurrant with Clementines - (ad feature recipe) a delicious warming mixture of blackcurrant with clementines and spice - like mulled wine but totally alcohol free.

• Watermelon Lemonade - refreshing burst of watermelon fizz that's perfect for summer days.

Get all our wellbeing tips and ideas for busy moms here

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