Make your own Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup that you can use in coffee, tea, desserts, cocktails, and more! With just 3 ingredients, you can have this delicious and floral treat ready in no time!
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Why I Love This Recipe
Lavender Simple Syrup is easy to make and adds such a unique and lovely flavor to so many things. This is a basic simple syrup recipe with added lavender flavor from dried lavender buds.
Once you make this recipe, you will be looking for anything and everything to use this syrup in just like my Blueberry Simple Syrup and my Hibiscus Simple Syrup.
Is All Lavender Edible?
All lavender is edible, however, all lavender is not the same. There are over 45 different species with over 450 varieties of lavender out there! I recommend culinary lavender (usually English lavender) because it has the best taste and is sweeter than other lavender varieties which can be bitter.
Most of the dried lavender for cooking you find in-store and online are for culinary purposes, but double-check the description or ask if you are not sure. You can find culinary lavender at most local grocery stores in the bulk section and on Amazon.
You can also grow culinary lavender. I have a culinary lavender bush in my garden that I purchased at my local nursery!
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: Add the water, sugar, and dried lavender buds to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Once boiling, lower the heat and allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Step 2: Remove the syrup from the heat and steep/cool for 30-60 minutes. Once the syrup has cooled, strain out the lavender buds using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
Experts Tips
- You can add purple coloring if you want to or leave it as is. Place the syrup in a glass bottle or jar that seals.
- Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any solids. Press gently on the lavender buds with the back of a spoon to extract as much flavor as possible.
- Pay attention to the steeping time to control the intensity of the lavender flavor. Steep the lavender flowers in the hot syrup for 30-60 minutes depending on the intensity of flavor you want. Be careful not to over-steep, it can result in a bitter taste.
- Allow the lavender syrup to cool completely before pouring it into a sealable container. This prevents condensation from forming inside the container, which can lead to a shorter shelf life and potential spoilage.
What to Use Lavender Syrup For
- In coffee, tea, or lemonade. Lavender syrup makes the best lattes and iced tea!
- Lavender Cocktails. Try one of my favorites like the Lavender Pisco Sour.
- Put it on top of Lavender Pancakes, ice cream, or desserts.
- Give it as a gift!
Recipe FAQs
Lavender simple syrup should last 3-4 weeks when stored in the fridge in a sealed container. I use flip-top glass bottles for my homemade syrups and they work great. You can find them at most craft stores and beer-making supply stores or online.
Yes, you can use other types of sugar such as brown sugar, demerara sugar, or cane sugar. You can even use honey to make lavender simple syrup, check out my recipe for Honey Lavender Syrup. Remember that using a different sugar may slightly alter the flavor and color of the syrup.
You can use fresh culinary lavender instead of dried lavender to make this recipe. However, since fresh lavender is less concentrated in flavor, you may need to use a larger quantity than dried lavender flowers.
You can adjust the intensity of the lavender flavor by changing the amount of lavender buds you use and the steeping time. If you prefer a stronger lavender flavor, you can increase the amount of lavender flowers or steep the syrup for a longer time. If you prefer a milder flavor, use less lavender flowers or steep them for a shorter time.
Lavender can be found in specialty grocery stores, health food stores, or online. Make sure you're buying culinary lavender specifically grown for consumption for the best results and flavor.
If you get a chance to make this Lavender Simple Syrup, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes right in your inbox.
Lavender Simple Syrup Recipe
Equipment
- measuring cup
Ingredients
- ¼ cup dried lavender buds
- 2 cups water
- 2 cup sugar
- purple food coloring (or red & blue) optional
Instructions
- Place the water, sugar, and lavender buds into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 2-3 minutes and then remove from heat. Allow the mixture to steep in the pan for 30-60 minutes. Remove the lavender buds after 30-60 minutes depending on the intensity of flavor you want.
- After the syrup has cooled, strain the lavender buds from the liquid and discard the buds. I use my small mesh strainer over a funnel so I don't spill any delicious syrup!
- You can now add food coloring if you would like to. I suggest coloring the syrup if you are using it for decoration or giving it away as a gift. Otherwise, your syrup will be a light golden color. Store the lavender syrup in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 weeks.
Video
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
LaRue VanderSluis says
The picture shows lavender twigs floating in bottle. How long is it good for?
Emily says
Hi, the picture is just for a pretty lavender picture. The lavender buds are strained out during the process. The syrup should last 3-4 weeks sealed in the fridge.
Deb says
I remember eating so much lavender ice cream when I was in France, this syrup makes for a great topping on all things sweet 🙂
Emily says
Oh yes, hopefully, it will bring back memories!