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Ingredients (makes ~400ml syrup)
- 2 tbsp dried culinary lavender buds (food-grade — not ornamental lavender)
- Zest of 3 lemons
- Juice of 4 lemons (~120ml)
- 300g (1½ cups) white sugar
- 300ml (1¼ cups) water
- ½ tsp citric acid
⚠️ Use Culinary Lavender Only
Ornamental lavender varieties may be treated with pesticides and have a different flavor profile. Look for "culinary lavender" or "food-grade lavender" — French lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the standard for cooking and syrups.Method
- Combine lavender, lemon zest, sugar, and water. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Simmer 3 minutes only, then remove from heat. Steeping lavender too long produces a soapy, medicinal flavor. Err on the shorter side.
- Steep covered for 10 minutes off heat, then taste. If more lavender is desired, steep another 5 minutes and re-taste.
- Strain immediately through fine mesh. Add lemon juice and citric acid to the strained syrup. Stir well.
- Bottle and refrigerate. Keeps 3 weeks.
Making Lavender Lemonade Soda
Add 45–55ml syrup to a glass over ice. Pour 280ml cold sparkling water gently over it. Garnish with a lemon slice and a small sprig of fresh lavender if available. Standard ratio: 1:6.
For a Lavender Lemonade Spritz (non-alcoholic): 40ml syrup, 60ml elderflower tonic, 150ml sparkling water.
FAQ
My lavender syrup tastes soapy. What went wrong?
Over-steeping is almost always the cause. Lavender contains camphor and other volatile compounds that turn soapy when over-extracted. Next time: steep for only 3–5 minutes total, taste frequently, and strain the moment it reaches your desired floral level. Less is genuinely more with lavender.
Where do I buy culinary lavender?
Specialty food stores, farmers markets, and online retailers (Amazon, Frontier Co-op, Savory Spice). Some Whole Foods and natural food stores carry it in the bulk spice section. Avoid craft stores — their lavender is decorative, not food grade.
🧮 Scale This Recipe
Use the Syrup Calculator for any batch size.Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. Adjust to personal taste.