Lavender Simple Syrup
If I haven’t convinced you how easy homemade simple syrup is, then we need to talk. And while I’ve shared a number of recipes with flavored simple syrup in the ingredients, I thought it was time to pull out some of my favorite infused recipes to highlight them and their versatility. First up is this lavender simple syrup recipe!
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Lavender Simple Syrup
It took me a long time to see lavender as anything besides a lovely spa/relaxation scent! I really first started to change my mind when I realized there was lavender in herbs de Provence (logical since Provence, France is a lavender mecca). Sidenote – herbs de Provence is my favorite seasoning for roasted potatoes. It’s just so perfect. But I digress…
While lavender is therapeutic and great in skincare (looking at you, fabulous hydrating facial essence), it’s also delicious in food and drinks. I love it in a black and herbal iced tea. I love it in lemonade. And I love it in cocktails!
How to Make Lavender Simple Syrup
While the basic simple syrup recipe is one part sugar to one part water, the infusion part might not seem so basic. But it is!
Once you make the simple syrup (on the stove in a small saucepan to fully dissolve the sugar into the water), add the culinary lavender and let it all cool together. The warmth of the simple syrup will diffuse the lavender oils into the syrup (the longer, the better)!
It’s the exact same idea in other infused syrups too – just look at this rosemary simple syrup.
Types of Lavender
First things first, not all lavender is good for cooking. You’ll want to make sure you’re using culinary lavender and/or use lavender grown without any sprays or harmful chemicals. Lavender can be found with spices and seasonings most often or at farmers markets.
Ok. So culinary lavender. Got it. But what else. So, there are a few different types of lavender – mostly from regions in western Europe. English lavender and French lavender are the most common you’ll see here (Spanish and Portuguese lavender also exist)!
While French lavender is often touted more famously, English lavender is the one with more fragrance and more often used for culinary and personal care purposes. When it comes to gardening, however, French lavender has a longer growing season.
Lavender Simple Syrup Uses
- to flavor black and herbal iced teas
- flavor your lemonade
- use it in cocktails
- use it in an icing drizzle
Also try: Rosemary Simple Syrup
Lavender Drink Recipes
Lavender Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon culinary lavender
Instructions
- To make the syrup, add the sugar and water to a small saucepan. Turn the heat to medium-high and gently swirl the pan to mix in the sugar. Heat to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the lavender.
- Let cool completely, at least 1 hour, up to 8 hours. The longer the lavender sits in the syrup, the stronger the flavor. When it reaches your preferred strength of flavor, strain the syrup and discard the lavender.
