I have been wanting to share this recipe for Lavender Lemonade with you guys for such a long time! I made it earlier this year but I didn’t manage to take any photos – disaster! It’s the perfect drink for spring, so the timing worked out perfectly. It is a super lovely mocktail – floral, sweet and tart… but it is also very delicious with a shot of gin or vodka, if you’re so inclined! 

Although edible flowers have been all the rage for the last few years, lavender is the OG. I won’t lie, I do love edible flowers – big fan of violet and chamomile. Lavender has been used for cooking, bathing, herbal medicine and aromatherapy for over 2500 years! It is said to help with insomnia, and pain relief. I’m personally interested in lavender’s effect on anxiety and promoting a sense of relaxation and calm!

I used to really dislike the smell of lavender. It just reminded me of old lady perfume and was often really overpowering. It took me a few years of baking with it to really appreciate it, and learn that a little goes a looooong way. Now I love the floral taste, and diffusing lavender essential oil at night puts me straight to sleep.

Culinary lavender can be used in so many ways – to infuse sugar, milk or cream for cakes, ice creams and panna cotta. If you want to mix it into a batter or dough, it can also be ground. I have a great roundup of ideas here on this post.

You should be able to find culinary grade lavender at gourmet food shops or tea and spice shops, or online. It also goes great with flavours like lemon, honey or herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano in a blend called Herbes de Provence.

But let’s get back to my Lavender Lemonade. I made a lavender infused simple syrup, which turned a beautiful natural purple-blush colour. It’s so pretty. What is a simple syrup, you ask? A 1:1 ratio of sugar and water, heated until the sugar dissolves and the syrup has slightly thickened. You can infuse the syrup with anything you like – in this case lavender – and then strain out the blossoms.

The simple syrup is combined with freshly squeezed lemon juice and topped up with soda water (also homemade in our new Soda Stream!). This is such a lovely refreshing and calming drink. It is just perfect for the warmer weather. My housemate K has become a huge fan! We always have lemons in the fruit bowl and the syrup lasts for weeks in the fridge, so this drink is easy to throw together. I have already had requests to make a second batch of lavender syrup. This will definitely be our fave spring drink!

The recipe below makes 2 servings but you can easily double it to serve in a pitcher for a crowd. It would be perfect for any kind of spring or summer gathering (with or without booze!).

Related Post: Boozy Lemonade

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Lavender Lemonade

Lavender Lemonade is the perfect drink for any spring party! A homemade lavender simple syrup is delicious and refreshing with fresh lemon juice and soda.

Course Drinks

Keyword Cocktails, Drinks, Spring

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 2 people

Ingredients

Lavender Simple Syrup

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2-3 tablespoons culinary grade lavender

Lavender Lemonade

• 4 lemons, juiced
• 1 shot gin or vodka, optional
• Sparkling water
• Ice Cubes
• Lemon slices, to serve

Instructions

1. To make the simple syrup, place sugar, water and lavender into a saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Lower the heat and boil until slightly thickened and syrupy. Cool to room temperature, which allows the lavender to infuse into the syrup. Strain out the lavender and store in an airtight bottle. You can make this in advance and keep it in the fridge.

2. To make the lavender lemonade, add the squeezed lemon juice to a tall glass. Add the gin or vodka (if using) plus lavender simple syrup to taste then top up with ice cubes and sparkling water. Garnish with lemon slice.