What Is Another Name For Bitter Lemon?

January 4, 2026 •

3 min read

While the name 'bitter lemon' is most often associated with the soft drink mixer containing quinine, it is also a source of confusion, as it can refer to an entirely different citrus fruit or even an unrelated tropical vine vegetable. This term's meaning depends heavily on the regional and culinary context in which it is used.

Quick Summary

Many assume a single answer for bitter lemon, but the term can describe a carbonated drink, a type of orange known as Seville orange, or bitter melon, a tropical gourd vegetable.

Key Points

Bitter Orange: Often referred to as Seville orange, bitter lemon can be the citrus fruit Citrus × aurantium, primarily used for marmalade and liqueurs.
Soft Drink: Bitter lemon can also be a commercial carbonated soft drink containing quinine, which is a popular cocktail mixer.
Bitter Melon (Karela): An unrelated tropical vine vegetable, Momordica charantia, is also known as bitter gourd and bitter lemon in some regions.
Context is Key: Differentiating between these three uses depends entirely on whether you are referencing a fruit, a drink, or a vegetable in a given situation.
Diverse Origins: The citrus bitter orange originated in Southeast Asia, the drink in colonial Africa, and the gourd in East India or South China.
Unique Uses: Each variant has distinct uses, from bitter orange's high pectin making it ideal for marmalade to bitter melon's use in Asian cuisine and traditional medicine.

Demystifying the Term "Bitter Lemon"

At its core, the name "bitter lemon" is not a definitive identifier for a single ingredient but rather a descriptive phrase applied to several distinct items. The primary confusion stems from differentiating between a commercially produced soft drink, a specific citrus fruit, and an entirely unrelated tropical plant. The context—whether you are in a bar, a grocery store's produce section, or a discussion on botanical history—is key to understanding the correct reference.

Bitter Orange: The Citrus Fruit with Many Aliases

One of the most common answers to the question "what is another name for bitter lemon?" is the bitter orange (scientific name: Citrus × aurantium). This fruit, a hybrid of the pomelo and mandarin orange, is native to Southeast Asia. Historically, it spread to Europe, becoming a staple centuries before the sweet orange.

Other common names for bitter orange include:

Seville orange: Referring to the Spanish city known for its cultivation.
Sour orange: Describing its taste.
Marmalade orange: Highlighting its main use due to high pectin and tartness.
Bigarade orange: A French term.

Unlike sweet oranges, bitter oranges are seldom eaten fresh but are valued for their intense flavour in peels, juice, and oils. They are used in marmalades, liqueurs like Triple Sec and Curaçao, and various bitters.

The Soft Drink: Bitter Lemon Mixer

In a retail or bar setting, bitter lemon typically refers to a carbonated soft drink. Its history dates back to 19th-century colonial Africa, where quinine was mixed with lemon and soda water as an anti-malarial. This evolved into a popular drink.

The bitter lemon drink is known for:

Quinine: Providing its characteristic bitter flavour.
Carbonation: Making it fizzy.
Commercialisation: Schweppes launched a commercial version in 1957.
Cocktail Use: Popular as a mixer for drinks like Gin & Bitter Lemon.

Bitter Melon: The Unrelated Gourd

Adding to the confusion, "bitter melon" refers to a different plant, Momordica charantia, a tropical vine vegetable in the gourd family. It has a warty look and is very bitter.

Alternative names for bitter melon include:

Bitter gourd: A common direct name.
Karela: Its name in India, used in curries.
Goya: Used in Okinawan and Japanese cooking.
Ampalaya: Its name in the Philippines.
Balsam pear and bitter apple: Less common.

Bitter melon is a staple in many Asian, African, and Caribbean cuisines and is also used in traditional medicine, particularly for blood sugar.

Comparison of Bitter Names


Feature	Bitter Orange (Citrus × aurantium)	Bitter Lemon (Soft Drink)	Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)
Classification	Citrus Fruit (Hybrid)	Carbonated Beverage	Vine Vegetable (Gourd)
Botanical Name	Citrus × aurantium	N/A	Momordica charantia
Key Component	Zesty, thick peel and juice	Quinine	Momordicin
Taste Profile	Sour and intensely bitter pulp	Sweet, fizzy, and bitter	Extremely bitter flesh
Primary Use	Marmalade, liqueurs, flavorings	Cocktail mixer, standalone drink	Culinary dishes (curries, stir-fries)
Origin	Southeast Asia	Colonial Africa (developed in Europe)	East India or South China

Culinary Insights for Each "Bitter Lemon"

Understanding the distinctions is vital for cooking and nutrition. Bitter orange is a seasonal fruit mainly processed for its peel and juice. Its high pectin aids in marmalade making, and its oil is used in aromatherapy. Using a bitter orange instead of a sweet one can drastically alter a dish.

Bitter melon is a versatile vegetable. Its bitterness is often reduced by methods like soaking or parboiling. It's used in stir-fries, stuffed dishes, and soups.

Conclusion: Context is Everything

When you hear "bitter lemon," consider the context. Is it a fruit, a drink, or a vegetable? While the soft drink is a common association, the term often refers to the bitter orange used for marmalade and liqueurs. Remembering that bitter melon is a separate plant with similar descriptive names prevents confusion in botanical or culinary discussions. Using the precise name, like Seville orange or karela, clarifies meaning and highlights the unique uses of each ingredient. For more on Seville orange history, see reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not exactly. The citrus fruit commonly called bitter orange (Citrus × aurantium) is often what people mean by bitter lemon in a botanical sense. However, bitter lemon can also refer to a carbonated soft drink, which is a distinct product.

No, the bitter lemon soft drink is a manufactured beverage that gets its bitter taste from quinine and its sourness from lemon essence. It is not a fruit itself.

Bitter orange is a citrus fruit used for its juice and peel, particularly in marmalade. Bitter melon is an unrelated tropical vine vegetable (a gourd), often used in curries and stir-fries.

Karela is the Indian name for bitter melon (Momordica charantia). It is a tropical vine vegetable known for its warty appearance and intensely bitter flavor.

The bitter orange is also called Seville orange because the Spanish city of Seville has a long and famous history of cultivating these trees, particularly for producing marmalade.

Yes, the carbonated soft drink known as bitter lemon is typically infused with quinine, which gives it its signature bitter taste.

Bitter orange is used primarily for its peel and juice in culinary and aromatic applications. It is famous for making British orange marmalade and is also used in flavorings for liqueurs and essential oils.