French Lavender Lemonade
When Life Gives You Lavender, make French Lavender Lemonade.Â
We live in an old neighborhood with mature trees clustered about, and homes dating back to the 1890’s.
My house is on the main drag through our neighborhood. It is a fairly busy street in our bustling pedestrian community. We get all the action right outside our windows. Runners, dog-walkers, strollers, bikers, the 4th of July parade, the Halloween extravaganza… It all happens directly in front of my house.
Therefore, I find my next door neighbor’s children quite brilliant to make a tradition of selling lemonade on the street corner throughout the summer.
My neighbor told me her boys have made as much as $180 selling their lemonade on a Saturday. I couldn’t believe it at first. Such a huge profit for two little boys, from lemonade!?!
Then, I tasted their brew and the answer was clear. Superior Lemonade.
This is no powdered lemon-drink they are selling! The boys use freshly squeezed organic lemon juice and lavender.
No wonder they can charge a $1 a cup of this blessed beverage. My neighbor claims the boys make the lemonade on their own, but I find that highly suspect. *wink*
Fresh French Lavender Lemonade is the perfect beverage for summer. It’s light and tangy with a delicate floral essence.
The lavender leaves are steeped in a simple syrup to extract the essence. Because the leaves are removed before the lemon juice and water are added, the flavor comes off as very mysterious and highly complex.
I’m giving you the French Lavender Lemonade recipe as a double batch, because I guarantee one small pitcher’s worth will not be enough. Once you taste this lemonade, you’ll understand!
Â
French Lavender Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 cups water, divided
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup lavender leaves, roughly chopped
- 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, from 9-11 lemons
- Ice
- Fresh lavender sprigs for garnishing
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan, combine 5 cups of water, with sugar and lavender leaves. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir and cover. Then remove from heat and allow the lavender to steep until the mixture returns to room temperature.
- Squeeze the lemons, and removing any runaway seeds. When the lavender simple syrup has cooled, strain out the lavender leaves. Pour the syrup, lemon juice, and another 5 cups of water into a large pitcher.
- Add ice and garnish with delicate lavender sprigs!
A lavender lemonade sounds absolutely delightful!
Jennifurla~
You can buy cut and potted lavender at a good farmer's market. I got mine at a garden center a few years back.
Gorgeous, Sommer! You know how much I love lavender – I've been toying with the idea of making a lavender lemonade – now I must!
Hey Sommer – reading your posts is always such a pleasure! You don't just write, you paint exquisite potraits with words….
This lemonade sounds like liquid manna from heaven, in this stifling heat and the pictures alone make me feel refreshed! Wonderful, wonderful post!!
Hi Sommer, Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. I can't believe the boys made $80 selling lemonade. That's so terrific!
Lovely pictures, I wish I knew where to get lavender – this looks so refreshing and cool.
Oh my, Oh my, what a great idea. thanks
That is brilliant…and lovely. I MUST make this…thanks!
Going to be a hot one this weekend … sounds like just the ticket!
wow…its like being back in the south of France!
what a wonderful refreshing beverage. It sounds like you live in a great neighborhood!
I have both of this in my backyard! I can make it so easily
Waw!! I never have used lavender leaves before just the flowers!!
Thanks for sharing this tasty & luscious looking lavender lemonade!
Your pictures are so appetizing & vibrant!
Great to know about the lavender leaves, this looks like a perfect twist on a classic. I am adding it to my favorites, so then I can make it this summer! Seems like the kind of recipe that people taste and just love, but would never guess the secret ingredient. ;)
Awwwww, that looks so pretty, very summerly, I love lavender smell. And the description of your street makes me very jealous, I would love to live in a house with a backyard to plant all sorts of herbs. And have suspicious neighbors making delicious lemonades. LOL
Casey~
Lavender leaves are stronger than the buds. I use lavender buds when I want the flavor and decorative aspect as well, but the leaves when its just for flavor.
I adore anything flavored with lavender! Do you get better flavor with the leaves than you do with the flower petals? I have some dried lavender flowers that I would like to use. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sommer, I really enjoyed reading this post.The lemonade will be a big hit here in our house as my husband and son loves to drink ice tea during this time. Maybe I'll surprise them with this recipe of yours. Thank you for sharing.
Sommer, you are a kindred spirit! Fantastic post, love the descriptions. Making me miss my old house a bit though.