LAVENDER SIMPLE SYRUP

I'm such a sucker for florals in any way, shape, or form. Pair that with my newest appreciation for a cold drink amidst this scorching heat we're getting (see, there's always a way to incorporate the weather into one of these posts...) and I can't find a better reason to make a batch of lavender simple syrup!

I managed to find lavender at my local health food store for a really decent price (I have so much lavender around my house right now...) and promptly got to work making the prettiest purple syrup! Can you even imagine all of the ways you could use this? I'm not a mixologist but I am happy to say that my tastebuds were very happy with the outcome. With Canada Day coming up the lavender soda would be an excellent addition to your BBQ menu, or a welcome addition to a cocktail post-fireworks! All of the food and drink possibilities in the summer make me wish we had a huge backyard of our own to host a BBQ! Oh, the possibilities...

The smell of the lavender was incredible and once you add the lemon zest the smell is unlike anything else. Punchy, fragrant and so fresh, you won't be able to wait to get your hands on the finished product! 

Lavender Simple Syrup

Adapted from Michael Smith

2 cups water

2 cups sugar

1 cup dried lavender 

Juice and zest of 1 lemon

1. In a small saucepan pour sugar and water and bring to a rapid boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a slow, steady simmer. Remove from heat. 

2. Add lavender flowers to a heatproof bowl or jar and pour syrup mixture over top. Zest lemon rind and add juice and let steep overnight in the fridge. If you're using a heatproof bowl, allow the mixture to cool for a bit then transfer to a jar to steep in the fridge overnight. 

3. Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve to catch the lavender and enjoy!

Lavender Soda

1 oz. lavender syrup

1 cup club soda

juice of half a lemon

1. In a glass over ice, add one ounce of lavender syrup and top with club soda. Add lemon juice and serve.

Lavender Lemon Cocktail

1 oz. lavender syrup

1/2 oz. vodka or gin

few dashes of lemon bitters

splash of club soda

In a cocktail shaker add lavender simple syrup and alcohol. Shake well. Strain into a glass and add a few dashes of lemon bitters. Optional, add a splash of club soda. 

Are you drawn to floral notes? How would you use lavender simple syrup? Let me know in the comments below and let me know if you try one of these recipes!