With temperatures in the south creeping up into the 80s, I find myself reaching for a cooling drink in the evenings while I relax on the patio. Lavender lemonade is a welcome reprieve from the southern heat, and so easy to whip up.

Tips for Making Lavender Lemonade

Use lavender sparingly, and stick with French or English lavender varieties as they won’t be bitter or soapy.

You may need to play with the recipe to get the right level of sweetness to taste. If too sweet, add more lemon juice or dilute with water. Add more sugar if too tart, and if the lavender flavor is too strong, dilute with chilled water.

The lavender simple syrup can be kept in a glass bottle in the fridge for up to two weeks.

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French Lavender Lemonade

For a drink you'll be sipping all summer long, try this refreshing floral spin on homemade lemonade.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 1 small handful of freshly picked lavender flowers, rinsed. May substitute with 1 tbsp of dried lavender flowers.
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 cups cold water
• ice
• Lemons, thinly sliced for garnish
• Lavender sprigs, for garnish

Instructions

Lavender Simple Syrup

1. Cut the lavender flowers from the stems and place in a medium bowl.

2. Pour the sugar over the flowers and, using clean fingers, gently rub the flowers into the sugar.

3. Pour two cups of boiling water over the lavender sugar and stir until the sugar has melted. Cover, and let infuse for 30 minutes to 2 hours.

4. Strain the lavender-infused simple syrup and pour into a carafe or pitcher.

Lemonade

1. Stir the lemon juice into the carafe with the simple syrup.

2. Add in two cups of cold water. Taste and adjust sweetness levels to taste. Add more ice and water to desire concentration, and stir.

3. Pour into glasses, and garnish with thinly sliced lemons and a few sprigs of lavender. Serve and enjoy!