Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup Recipe

Homemade lavender simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made by dissolving sugar in boiling water and adding lavender buds. It is used in various culinary applications, especially in the making of cocktails, beverages, and desserts. 

The basic ratio usually involves equal parts sugar and water, boiled together until the sugar completely dissolves. Homemade syrups can be infused with herbs, spices, or fruits to create various flavors, such as lavender syrup.

Homemade lavender syrup adds a sweet, lavender flavor to your favorite iced teas. Syrup is much easier to incorporate into iced tea than sugar since sugar is hard to dissolve in cold drinks. 

Read on for an easy recipe to make your own lavender syrup.

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Lavender Syrup Recipe:

Ingredients

Water

White sugar

Dried lavender flowers or fresh lavender that is safe for culinary purposes

Steps:

Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan.

Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves.

Add dried or fresh lavender to the sugar mixture.

Simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Remove from heat and let steep for 20 minutes.

Strain out the lavender through a fine mesh strainer. Transfer the syrup to an airtight container such as a mason jar and allow it to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.

This recipe makes one cup of syrup, but if you want more, just double or triple the ingredients. The syrup can be stored for at least two weeks in the refrigerator and can be frozen if necessary.

Note: Lavender syrup actually has an amber/beige color and not the pretty “lavender” color that looks good in pictures. If you like the aesthetic of the purple color ( and who doesn’t), you can use food coloring to get a more pleasing color. 

You may have to experiment with red and blue food coloring to get the desired shade, depending on how deep the color of the syrup is originally.

Best Type of Lavender To Use

When it comes to lavender, culinary grade is essential for a safe and tasty product. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is generally recommended due to its sweet, floral flavor and mild taste. 

You can use purchased dried lavender buds found at grocery stores, health food stores, or online, or use fresh buds from your garden. 

Rinse the fresh buds well and avoid lavender that may have been treated with pesticides or other chemicals.

Best Type of Sugar for Syrup

White granulated sugar is commonly used for its neutral flavor. However, you can experiment with organic cane sugar, brown sugar, or coconut sugar, keeping in mind that these may alter the final taste.

Where to Use Lavender Simple Syrup

Beverages: Mix into lemonade, iced tea, or cocktails. It is ideal for cold brew tea and coffee.

Desserts: Drizzle over fruit or ice cream, or include in recipes like panna cotta

Breakfast: Sweeten your morning oatmeal or yogurt

Start with a small amount and add more to get the right sweetness.

Best Teas for Lavender Simple Syrup

Chamomile: The floral notes pair well.

Green tea: A mild-flavored tea that gets a nice aromatic lift.

Earl Grey: The bergamot flavor complements the delicate flavor of the lavender.

Storage

Store the lavender simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should be consumed within 2-4 weeks for best quality. 

A decorative glass bottle makes a pretty and convenient way to serve lavender syrup.