Yum
Early summer is perhaps one of the fairest times of the entire year. The sun obligingly stays out extra long, just so that you can soak up your front porch and wave to the neighbors as they cut grass. It’s not horribly hot yet, and the evenings have a deliciously cool breeze. The scent of honeysuckle wafts through the air, kissing you with sweetness. And of course, there is lemonade.
When my friend Hannah sent me some essential lavender oil (see her oil selection here), I was baffled. “What is this for?” She told me that this kind is food safe, due to its purity. I tried it in lemonade . . . wow! Lavender flavor is lightly floral, but difficult to achieve without the lavender buds floating around getting in everyone’s teeth. The pure oil adds a delicious kiss of floral to an already perfect summer drink. Don’t be surprised if you are adding a kiss of lavender to everything, from now on, and feeling a lot more chill and calm as it soothes your senses. 🙂
What are we waiting for? Let’s do this!
Lavender Lemonade
Ingredients:
4 cups water
3/4-1 cup sugar, depending on sweetness preference
3 lemons, juiced
3-5 drops food grade lavender oil (the one I used is here)
Few drops of purple food coloring, optional (I used about a drop of this purple gel coloring here
Directions:
Boil water and sugar together for 1 minute, or until sugar completely dissolves, stirring occasionally. Add in lemon juice and lavender oil (as well as purple food coloring
Now, in pictures! 🙂
This recipe is so simple. So simple that it will be done almost before we begin! 🙂 The key to any good sugary drink is boiling your water and sugar, beforehand, for 1 minute or so. This helps the sugar to stay dissolved so that you don’t have shifty sand at the bottom of your cup. Eeeew.
Bring your sugar and water to a boil, whisking to make sure that everything is dissolved. Boil for 1 minute and turn off the heat.
Squeeze the juice from your lemons (I always gently roll the lemons on the floor back and forth with my foot, first. A little pressure prior to squeezing makes the juice come out more easily). Add the juice to your sugar syrup.
Of course, like anything, the tartness level of lemonade is largely determined by personal preference. So this is a good time, while the mixture is still warm, to taste and see if you need extra sugar or lemon juice. Since it’s still warm extra sugar will dissolve in there nicely if you need some more.
The lavender taste level is personal, too. I suggest adding about 3 drops, and then tasting. If you want a little more floral taste, then add a drop or two more. It’s your lemonade. You are the BOSSSSS of this lemonade. You MADE it!!! You DETERMINE ITS DESTINY!!!
*earth conquering music swells in background.
Sorry. I got a little carried away, there. Haha. But anyway, make your lemonade the way you like it. Drink some out on the porch. Enjoy these first days of summer, while the sun grins on you late into the evening.
*Delicious sip. Ahhhh. Ain’t life grand?
You did it. And I’m just so proud of you.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which just means that we get a few pennies if you purchase through our link. I never recommend products that I don't personally use and love. Thanks!
