Lavender Syrup

Lavender syrup is a luxurious way to add a sweet floral flavor to your favorite beverages and recipes

With just three ingredients it is quick and simple to make at home

Lavender flowers represent calmness, serenity, relaxation, and grace

The aromatic floral properties of lavender simple syrup combined with its herbal flavor add a semi-sweet essence and light violet color to beverages and cocktails.

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What are the benefits of Lavender?

Lavender has been found to have the following benefits:

• Lavender is widely used as aromatherapy, and supplements, and may be helpful with anxiety, depression, and fatigue
• It can be used to help boost sleep
• Some feel it improves skin health

Ingredients for Lavender Syrup

• Dried culinary lavender buds or Organic fresh lavender buds
• Sugar
• Water

When selecting the right lavender to use for your recipes you have two options:

• Use organically grown fresh lavender buds, if they are available, but be sure they are organic and well rinsed and cleaned before using
• Use “culinary-grade” dried lavender. There are plenty of options and we used TooGet brand which comes in a handy 4-ounce resealable bag and is 100% pure and natural

(Please refer to the recipe card for exact quantities)

What makes lavender “culinary grade”?

Lavender is considered culinary by the way it is processed. The cooking grade of lavender goes through multiple rounds of sifting. All that remains are the pure lavender buds. All stems, leaves, and calyxes have been removed from the final product.

How to Make Lavender Simple Syrup:

Lavender Simple Syrup is easy to make at home. It only takes a few minutes and provides a semi-sweet and flavorful addition to use in cocktails, coffee, cookies, baked goods, and ice cream.

• The first step is to make a simple syrup. Simple Syrup can be infused with countless amounts of different ingredients, which will provide you with numerous flavors, that will rival the best mixologist or barista recipes!
• The second step is infusing the lavender to complete the flavored syrup

How to make Simple Syrup

For a complete tutorial visit our post on How To Make Simple Syrup

Step One: Homemade simple syrup can be used as a universal ingredient for many beverages and cocktails. It is quick and easy to make with equal parts sugar and water.

Step Two: Adding lavender to make lavender syrup

• Make the simple syrup first by blending equal parts sugar and water. For this recipe, we use 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water.
• Cook over medium heat and allow the sugar to be fully dissolved into the water. Stir frequently.
• Add 3 tablespoons of lavender buds to the simple syrup and bring to a boil. Stirring occasionally.
• Reduce heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
• Remove the syrup from heat and allow it to cool for 1 hour or until you achieve the desired lavender flavor.
• Once the syrup has cooled, strain the lavender flowers and buds from the syrup. Make sure you use a fine mesh strainer. You may need to strain multiple times to remove all the particles.
• Transfer syrup to an airtight container. We like to use small glass jars or glass flasks.
• Lavender simple syrup holds up well in the refrigerator for up to one month.

PRO TIP – Strain the syrup using a fine mesh strainer for the best results. Nobody wants bits of lavender buds in their latte or scones.

Substitution ideas for white sugar

If you are looking for a substitute for white sugar here are three of our favorites. Please note that substitutions can change the flavor of the finished syrup.

White sugar will allow for a hint of purple color in your finished syrup. When you use a substitute with a darker color the finished syrup will take on a darker color

• Honey – makes a lovely substitute for white sugar. Honey has its own distinctive flavor and your syrup will have more of the flavor of honey in the finished product. Try lavender honey for a more forward flavor. Keep in mind that honey is much sweeter than sugar so use 1/2 to 2/3 cups of honey for every one cup of sugar.
• Coconut Sugar – This makes a great substitute for white sugar. It is a 1:1 ratio, meaning one cup of coconut sugar for one cup of white sugar. Some people believe since coconut sugar is plant-based it is more natural.
• Light Brown Sugar – This is the easiest substitute for white sugar. To substitute use a 1:1 ratio of brown sugar to white sugar. Note that your syrup will take on a darker color using light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar is not recommended.

Culinary Grade vs. Fresh Lavender

We tested both culinary-grade and fresh-picked organic lavender. The taste was the same but the color was more vibrant with the fresh lavender. Here are side-by-side comparison photos:

Best way to store Lavender Simple Syrup

After you have strained all the lavender flowers and buds from the syrup, pour the syrup into an air-tight container or jar.

Lavender simple syrup will keep well in the refrigerator for up to one month.

FAQ: Why is my lavender syrup bitter?

If you let the lavender simmer and steep too long it can take on a bitter note, so be sure to limit your simmering to 15 minutes and your steeping to no more than one hour.

Additional cocktails using simple syrup or infused simple syrup

• Cucumber Mint Cocktails
• Blueberry Vodka Cocktail
• Lemon Drop Martinis
• Watermelon Vodka Cocktail
• Blackberry Champagne Cocktail