Lavender Simple Syrup is an easy way to add floral flavour to drinks like tea, coffee, lemonade, cocktails and more. It is fragrant, sweet and earthy with calming properties.
What is Lavender Simple Syrup?
Lavender Simple Syrup is a liquid sweetener made with sugar and culinary-grade lavender. Lavender is an herb that is known for its health benefits like supporting sleep and calming the nervous system.
This syrup is aromatic and adds a soothing floral twist to drinks and other recipes.
If you’re worried about the lavender being too strong and perfume-like, that’s not the case here when prepared properly. Also, the sweetness helps with that.
While you can buy this syrup online or in-stores, this recipe will show you just how simple and inexpensive it is to make at home!
How to Use
The great thing about this recipe, like other simple syrups, is that it can be served and used in a variety of ways! Here are a few options to get you started:
- Add to coffee or tea and top with steamed or frothed milk for a lavender latte
- Make a Lavender London Fog
- Use it as a sweetener for lavender lemonade
- Combine with sparkling water for a homemade lavender soda
- Try it in iced tea
- Drizzle on ice cream, berries, yogurt, or oatmeal
- Floral cocktails, anyone?
Ingredient Notes
- Water: Simple syrup recipes begin with this basic ingredient!
- Sugar: White granulated sugar will allow the syrup to have a naturally soft purple hue. If desired, honey can be used instead for a lavender honey syrup but note that the colour will be different.
- Lavender: For safety purposes, use culinary (or food grade) dried lavender only. Do not use any lavender that is meant for fragrances, etc. You can find culinary lavender online or in-stores, typically in the specialty food aisles. This is the one I use (affiliate link).
How to Make Lavender Syrup
Ingredient measurements and full directions are in the printable recipe card below.
In a small saucepan over medium-heat, combine water, granulated sugar and culinary dried lavender. Heat and stir until sugar dissolves completely. Bring to a simmer.
Remove from heat. Cover the saucepan and let the lavender steep in the mixture for 20 minutes.
Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the lavender simple syrup into an airtight jar or bottle. Seal the airtight container and store the simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Use this syrup in these recipes:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my lavender syrup not purple?
Vibrant purple lavender syrup is not easy to achieve unless you add an additional ingredient like purple food dye. Following my recipe should give your syrup a very light purple hue, but this does depend on the lavender that was used.
Dried lavender buds can range in colour from deep blue to a faint purple. Either is great for this recipe and won’t affect the taste but may affect the colour.
Can I use fresh lavender or lavender essential oil?
No. Dried lavender is more potent than fresh so that is what I recommend for the best results.
Why is my lavender syrup bitter?
Do not boil the syrup mixture as this may make it bitter. Only let it simmer then remove from heat immediately to continue the steeping process.
How much simple syrup does this recipe make?
This recipe makes about 1 cup of syrup.
How much syrup do I use per drink?
Add 1-2 tablespoons of lavender syrup per 1 cup. Adjust to taste.
Lavender Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons culinary dried lavender
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium-heat, combine water, granulated sugar and culinary-grade dried lavender. Heat and stir until sugar dissolves completely. Bring to a simmer.
- Remove from heat. Cover the saucepan and let the lavender steep in the mixture for 20 minutes.
- Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the lavender simple syrup into an airtight jar or bottle. Seal the airtight container and store the simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Notes
Save this recipe on Pinterest so you can make it later. Click here and pin it!
How would you use this lavender syrup? Let me know in the comments!