Lavender Lemonade ~ Dana

About ten years ago, at a cute local cafe, I came across a delicious drink: lavender lemonade. I immediately went home, searched the internet for recipes, and after trying a few different ones, I’ve landed on my favorite.  And since my mom has a very generous lemon tree in her backyard, and I have 3 huge lavender bushes, we are a match made in libation heaven! When the temperatures rise, as they are right about now, mix up a pitcher of this refreshing drink, and hit the shade.

Lavender Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup (a generous handful) fresh or 1 tablespoon dried lavender blooms stripped from stems
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Ice cubes
• Lavender sprigs for garnish

Preparation:

1. Combine sugar with 2 1/2 cups water in a medium pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
2. Add the lavender blooms to the sugar water, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand at least 20 minutes (and up to several hours).
3. Strain mixture and discard lavender. Pour infusion into a glass pitcher. Add lemon juice and 2 1/2 cups water. Stir well and watch lemonade change color.
4. Pour into tall glasses half-filled with ice or refrigerate until ready to use.

Makes 1 small pitcher