Simple Lavender Syrup Recipe

The abundance of drink options available today makes going out for a coffee, cocktails, or tea a bit more exciting than it was years ago before we knew so many options existed. As our tastes have evolved, so have our expectations for unique drink options and the growing emphasis on health and wellness has driven the creative development of unique drink choices for people with specific dietary needs. Lavender syrup is a clever way to bring a floral flavor and calming properties to coffee, tea, lemonade, sparkling water, mocktails, or cocktails in addition to desserts, sauces, and dressings. 

Wellness coach and recipe developer Miriam Hahn brings us this recipe for simple lavender syrup and says, "I have always loved the scent of lavender and am a big fan of lavender essential oil but only recently discovered how adding a splash of lavender syrup to food and drinks provides a fresh floral flavor and lots of health benefits from the dried lavender flowers." 

To make this recipe, we only need 3 ingredients, sugar, filtered water, and dried lavender. "When looking for the lavender, it is important to buy food grade lavender and preferably one that is organic. There are many choices online. Once you have the lavender, in addition to making lavender syrup you can also use it to make your own silk sachets to put in your clothing drawers or put under your pillow for a nice night's sleep. You can also mix it with citrus peels and water in a small pot and simmer to make your whole house smell like a spa," Hahn recommends.

Our first step in this easy process is to add the sugar, water, and lavender to a medium sized pot and bring the heat to medium. Stir with a wooden spoon for about 5 minutes so that the sugar is fully dissolved. "An added benefit to making this delicious syrup is the relaxing aroma that is going to fill your house as you make it," Hahn shares.

To really infuse the lavender flavor into the water we want to steep the mixture much like you would a cup of tea. Remove the pot from the heat, cover and let it steep for 10 minutes. The water will take on a slightly lavender hue during the steeping process.

Once the mixture is done steeping, strain the liquid using a mesh strainer positioned over a bowl. "I like to use a bowl with a spout which is going to make it easy to pour from. You can also use a small funnel if you are storing your lavender syrup in a vessel with a narrow opening. The lavender syrup will last well for 2 weeks if kept in an air-tight container in the fridge. Now that you have your lavender syrup ready to go it can liven up your coffee, soda water, or even your maple syrup you put on pancakes. You might even get fancy and whip up some lavender martinis. The sky's the limit!