Recently I visited the local "pick-your-own" lavender farm with my favorite group of Pagan ladies. Not only did we cut bundles of fresh lavender, but I was also able to get a nice big bag of dried lavender to supplement what I grow and dry myself in the garden.
So what's a girl to do with a bag of lavender that's never been touched by chemicals? Lavender syrup, that's what!
A dash of this to your lemonade (and a few fresh sprigs thrown in just to pretty it up!) gives you an amazing and refreshing drink on a hot summer's day - and it's easy as pie to make! All you need is sugar, water and dried (food grade) lavender.
First up, take 1/2 cup dried lavender buds, 1 cup sugar,
and one cup water
and add them to a small pot.
Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
When the pot starts to boil, turn down the heat and allow the mix to simmer for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Strain.
This creates a very sweet, very lavender tasting syrup with a beautiful lavender color!
Store in the refrigerator. Add a teaspoon or two to lemonade to create a delicious lavender flavored lemonade.
Add a few fresh sprigs of lavender to gussy it up!
Store lavender syrup in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Other ideas for using lavender syrup:
- Lavender martinis
- Drizzle a bit over fresh berries
- Add a splash to the bottom of a glass before filling with sparkling wine for a special treat.
- Use instead of maple syrup on pancakes or waffles
- Add to your favorite vanilla ice cream recipe before putting in the ice cream freezer.
- Use to sweeten hot or cold tea
- Lavender syrup is said to be great in treating symptoms of the common cold.
- Jar it up, add a printed label and give it as gifts!
- Leave a bit out as an offering to the fae.
View this recipe as a printable document by clicking here.
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45 Comments:
Love it Mrs. B! I'll have to give that a try. I just love Lavender!
Mrs. B just gave me something to do today. This sounds like a great idea!
I love lavender, the smell reminds me of my daughter (I used to bath her in lavender baby shampoo). I keep meaning to plant some, I should just look up when to plant the seeds. I'm pretty sure I missed the time though this year. Anyway when I do I'm going to try the syrup too.
DROOL!!!! Thank you, I usually add mine to Earl Grey tea but this year I think I'll be having lavender everything :)
Just a note - lavender makes most people a wee bit sleepy, similar to how you might feel after a big turkey dinner. It's not possible to overdose (you'd explode first lol), but it is a useful herb to keep on hand.
A few pieces of lavender in some chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies actually makes a delicious and useful bedtime snack for an ill child. It helps them sleep more soundly, without dosing them with alcoholic medicines. :)
I LOVE the idea of giving it as gifts -- will be wonderful for my Goddess Group! Thanks!
Oh wow- thats SO pretty! I have some lavender growing this year, but it's only one plant...did see some downtown yesterday that was a great price. Now I want to go back and buy a few bags. Thanks so much for the awesome recipe!
Sounds amazing, Mrs. B! The last time I had some lavender, I used a box of yellow cake mix, threw in some dried lavender flowers and topped my cupcakes off with a bit of whipped cream. So delicious.
The Lavender Martini sounds wonderful!! ^_^ A good way to relax for the night. : )
I LOVE this idea! Since I just planted lavender this year you've given me an excuse to try out Mountain Rose Herbs :) I plan on using this recipe at my 4th of July party! You're the best Mrs. B!
I now have a project for today, Thanks Mrs. B.
Great idea. I'll have to try that some time; sounds tasty!
Stunning post and look at that colour! I just bought some lavender and was going to make the same thing. I am making strawberry rhubarb lemonade first though but next, onto lavender. Beautiful job!
Thanks for this! I noticed some lavender marked "culinary" at the health food store the other day and picked it up out of curiousity. This'll be perfect for it.
Thank you for the wonderful recipe idea. I suggest Lavender Sugar Cookies.
Awesome! I can't wait to try it!
This sounds fabulous but all the lavender I have is old. When will you have some more in the etsy store?
I just made a batch and mine didn't turn out a lovely shape of lavender...it is a golden brown! It still tastes good, but I am wondering what I did wrong!
To Sahar: I've never had mine come out that way, so I'm only taking a stab in the dark here. Does it have a slightly caramelly taste? Perhaps it just got a little too hot for too long and the sugar started to caramelize?
If it tastes good, I wouldn't worry too much about it, though, lol!! =D
I *love* this. Thank you so much. Lavender is one of my favorite things in the world and I just might have to try this as a gift for family sometime.
I will try to make it on essential oil, look on youtuve, and you can find the way to distill the oils, you can do it at your oven or stove too. Have fun!!!
Mrs. B, I absolutely L O V E your blog! This lavender syrup sounds yummy!
I simply adored this recipe, Kris! I love lavender, and this is perfect! The smell must awesome. Goota share it at my FB ;) And this is going ot my BOS, of course!
Kisses and much love from us.
What specifically do you mean by "food grade" lavender? Is the stuff I grow myself (organically of course) food grade? I just want to make sure I know before I make this wonderful recipe!
By "food-grade" I mean any lavender that you'd feel safe eating. Anything you've grown yourself and know is free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers would definitely be the safest thing to use!
If you buy your lavender, just make sure to ask the seller exactly what's been used on it, even if it does say "culinary".
Yum! I have some from last year that I could use and am definitely thinking lavender martinis. ;) Thanks for the inspiration.
Will this work with any culinary lavender or is it English/French lavender specific please? I have a wodgeload of English growing at our home by the sea here, and this would be an ideal way to use it! (Have lavender sachetted myself to pieces!)
Making mine right now.. I'm thinking a lavender martini will make for some sweet dreams tonight.
I so love this. I was looking for a good use for my lavender and here it is. Thank you so much for sharing.
Just made two batches and both of mine were a golden brown. I had the heat on the lowest setting. It's smells wonderful and tastes just as good.
Thanks Ms. B
Charlotte: this will work with any type of lavender. The English lavender will be a little less sweet and a little more "herby", while French lavender will be a little sweeter. =)
Beautiful!
And doesn't it smell heavenly while you are cooking with it? One of my favorite cookie recipes is a lavender shortbread. I think that they would be a perfect pairing with your lemonade!
Oh how wonderful! I must try this.
Cxx
Hmmm. This makes me think, we have not tried a lavender MEAD yet; this could be the year!
That sounds yummy, but where does a girl get dried lavender if you can't grow anything?? Everything I plant dies! I just do not have a green thumb;0(
Hi! I'm a new reader/follower. I really enjoyed this post. I think I'm going to have to try it as I realized [now that the flowers are appearing] that I have lavender and not rosemary in my garden! I was also wondering, as I see you are very crafty, if you have any recipes for incorporating herbs into natural body/baby washes? Anyway, thanks again. I'm gonna harvest my lavender tomorrow. ;)
This looks wonderful! I will definitely give it a go!
Lovely idea! I must give this a whirl some time. I once had lavender shortbread that was to die for. I've never been able to replicate it. Perhaps this might help.
Thanks!
What a nice idea! I wonder what other applications this syrup has. Could you use it to sweeten tea?
Blessings,
This Good Life
TGL, yep! It's great in hot or cold tea! =)
My syrup is cooling on the stove as we speak, I ordered culinary lavender online as I was unsure if my current supply was food safe or not. I can't wait to try this in some homemade ice cream I'm planning to make. Thanks Mrs. B!!
I made some yesterday and it tastes and smells divine! Thanks for the recipe.
Ok, going to add my syrup to some homemade vanilla ice cream. How much should I add, and do I add it to the mix before churning, or after the ice cream is completed? Should I substitute some of the syrup for some of the sugar in the recipe?
Hi Mrs.B
i just came across your blog and im quite impressed ...I am an Australian tradtional witch (solitary) i dont have children myself (yet) and i will be 23 in September but i just love reading your blog posts :D
I just LOVE lavender and this is such a simple recipe thankyou so much :) i make my own jams and fresh squeezed juices etc ...and im always open to new home remedies
thankyou for such a lovely informative site.
Blessed Be
)O( Anythya )O(
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