Refreshing Lavender Lemonade

Need a summer drink that's light, floral, and full of flavor? Try this Refreshing Lavender Lemonade made with lavender simple syrup and fresh lemon juice. It's the closest thing to sipping sunshine!

Lemonade is the quintessential summer drink, so why change it? Because lavender makes it even better. It adds a subtle, elegant twist that enhances the bright citrus flavor without overpowering it (like in these buttery shortbread cookies).

Still not convinced? Here's the best part- it's incredibly easy to make! add dried lavender to the simple syrup you already use for fresh lemonade, and voilà! You'll have a good, refreshing summer drink that's suited to brunch or sipping al fresco.

What you will need

You're only three ingredients away (plus water) from a good warm-weather drink.

• Fresh lemons Fresh lemons for the win! If you can find Meyer lemons, that would be even better. These lemons are less sour, less acidic, and slightly sweeter with hints of orange flavor. They're also harder to find and more expensive, but if you're looking to experiment, give them a try.
• Lavender simple syrup Homemade with dried culinary lavender and white sugar.
• Water Cold and filtered (if possible).
• Ice
• Garnishes such as fresh lavender or thyme sprigs.

Full ingredient list is located in the recipe card.

Step-by-step instructions

The great thing about making lemonade from scratch is that you can control the flavors. You can easily adjust the recipe if you like it more tart or less sweet. Check out this quick tutorial for making homemade lemonade with lavender.

Prepare the lavender simple syrup by boiling water, sugar, and lavender in a medium saucepan until the sugar has dissolved. Let it stand 15 minutes off the heat. Strain and discard the lavender.

Next, juice the lemons. After juicing, strain the juice for any pulp or pits.

Grab a glass pitcher and pour in the lemon juice.

Add cold water to the pitcher.

Add the lavender simple syrup.

Give it a good stir and adjust for taste. Chill until ready to drink.

Expert tip

Use cold, filtered water for the best taste and chill until ready to serve.

Swaps

Once your base lemonade recipe is complete, the possibilities are endless. Try mixing it up with these fun ideas.

• Make it bubbly Add club soda or sparkling water for a little fizz.
• Lavender berry lemonade Muddle blueberries or blackberries into the pitcher.
• Make it boozy Add vodka or gin for a lavender lemonade cocktail. Even better, replace the store-bought lemonade with the homemade version for this lemonade mimosa.
• Use honey instead of sugar in the syrup.
• Lavender lemonade popsicles Pour the lemonade into prepared popsicle molds and freeze until firm.

Storage and prep

Lavender lemonade can be stored in a sealed pitcher or mason jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. To prep in advance, make the lavender syrup ahead of time and store it separately. Lavender syrup can be stored in the fridge for up to one month.

Serving suggestions

There are no rules for sipping sunshine, so grab a glass and try it with any of your favorite meals.

• Suited to brunch with our lemon mascarpone pancakes or blueberry muffins.
• Sandwiches How good would this be with a strawberry BLT?
• Fruit desserts like this plum cake or summery peach crisp.
• Pair with this easy breezy strawberry goat cheese salad.

Jenn's Signature Serve

Lavender Lemonade + Gin + Fresh Muddled Strawberries

Kitchen questions

Can we use fresh lavender instead of dried?

Yes, you will need to check that the lavender you choose is safe for consumption (like English lavender Lavandula angustifolia). Avoid ornamental types, which can be bitter or chemically treated.

How do we make it less sweet/more tart?

To make it sweeter, add more simple syrup. We like to start with less syrup than a recipe calls for, and adjust as needed. If your lemonade tastes too sweet, you can compensate by adding more water or lemon juice to balance it out. If you prefer your lemonade to be more tart, add more lemon juice or reduce the amount of water slightly.

Why isn't our lemonade purple?

Depending on the grade of your culinary lavender, your lavender syrup will vary in color (usually a dull amber). Whether fresh or dried, lavender flowers don't release much pigment when steeped. The deep purple color associated with lavender in cooking often comes from dyes. While we don't recommend adding food coloring to the lemonade, you can use natural dyes such as beet juice to enhance the color.

When life gives you lemons, head to the kitchen!