Some countries have signature dishes. New Zealand? Well, it’s got one of the world’s most charming fizzy drinks—L&P, short for Lemon & Paeroa. It’s not just a soda. Call it what it is—New Zealand’s liquid national treasure. To a lot of Kiwis, a cold bottle of L&P is summer, childhood, road trips and the beach, all crammed into a nostalgic slurp
However, what exactly is L&P, and why is it so dear to the hearts of New Zealanders? Ready to give it a taste? Or just a nibble? Open it up, and we will take the plunge.
So what is L&P Really?
In a nutshell, L&P is a sweetened, lemony-tasting soft drink which was originally produced with Lemon juice and natural mineral water of the town of Paeroa, in the province of Waikato, in the North Island of New Zealand.
Not so pronounced or carbonated as foreign lemon sodas-more like soft lemon yoghurt than Sprite. It is smooth, a bit earthy and possesses a flavour that cannot be found elsewhere. This is one of the iconic parts of it: it does not even attempt to taste like something. It’s just… L&P.
A Bit of History
L&P goes back to the beginning of the 20th century. A natural mineral-rich spring flowed in the town of Paeroa and was thought by locals to have health properties. People began to bottle it, and it was not long before somebody had the bright idea to mix it with lemon juice. Boom–Lemon & Paeroa was created
It grew so popular that it actually became mass-produced, and although the springs are no longer used in the commercial version of the drink, the throwback name remained
Today, L&P has been owned by Coca-Cola, but fret not, it still has its Kiwi origin written on its sleeve (or bottle anyway). And the big L&P bottle memorial in Paeroa? Still standing tall and photogenic as ever.
Ingredients
- ½ cup lemon juice—fresh squeezed if you’ve got the time, bottled in a pinch
- A quarter cup of sugar (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest (to add a zing to it)
- 2 cups soda/mineral water (ice-cold—warm bubbles taste flat).
- Ice cubes
- Mint (to garnish)Lemon slices
Optional substitutes:
- Lemon juice works best, but lime can step in—just expect a sharper, brighter twist
- No mineral water? Can soda water be used, and a pinch of salt, to recreate the mineral edge
- You may also substitute sugar with honey or stevia because you might like a natural sweetener
Instructions
Step 1: Combine lemon juice and sugar in a jug or glass—stir until the sugar dissolves. Stir in till the sugar is dissolved. Add the zest of a lemon in case you like a strong citrusy taste. Add the soda water, cooled, stick up lightly enough to agitate it but not to cause the effervescence to escape
Drop in ice cubes—toss a lemon wedge or fresh mint on top
Taste test! Add or subtract sweetness/tartness to your taste
Step 2: L&P is best served ice cold, especially on a warm day or after a good hike. You can enjoy it:
- Original (classic style)
- On the rocks in a tall glass with a lemon slice
- Muddled into mocktails, lifting to a zesty base
- Or even a shot of vodka, or you are feeling like a grown-up (though this is more of the NZ Kiwi way)
Pro tip: Put your glasses in the freezer for a couple of minutes before pouring them, to make them extra-fresh
Some Cautions
- L&P is sugary like most sodas, and so the trick is moderation
- You may want to restrict the amount you take in the event you are probably intolerant to citric acid or carbonation
- The homemade types enable you to reduce the sugar and make things more natural- this is good when you are monitoring what you take
More About Lemon &Paeroa
L&P is not a dish, but in New Zealand, it is just as cultural and comforting as fish and chips or pavlova. It is easy, effervescent, somewhat eccentric and unashamedly made locally. And to Kiwis overseas, the sight of a golden bottle on a corner shop shelf can seem as though they are at home
The result is that whether you are sipping it on a hot summer day on a beach down in New Zealand or you are recreating it at home with lemons and bubbles, L&P is evidence that perhaps the best things in life are the simplest things
World famous in New Zealand, as they say. One taste, and you’ll understand.
