Lavender is a quintessential spring flavor and this easy simple syrup recipe is the perfect way to add it to all your favorite drinks and treats. From lavender lattes to cocktails, mocktails or lemonade, lavender simple syrup is a surprisingly versatile ingredient, and it only takes a few minutes to whip up.
Even Starbucks has gotten on the lavender bandwagon this year, with their Lavender Oatmilk Matcha, Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte and even a Lavender Creme Frappucino!
The clean, sweet, floral flavor of lavender makes a beautiful pairing with vanilla, so it's great with sweet drinks and desserts as well as teas and tart drinks like lemonade and sour-style cocktails.
You may also enjoy my 10 Best Lavender Cocktail Recipes or Lavender Coconut Lemonade.
Simple syrup ingredients
To make the syrup, you'll need just three ingredients. Dried culinary grade lavender flowers are easy to find online at places like Amazon or Mountain Rose Herbs.
Many grocery stores like Whole Foods carry lavender tea, which can be used also. Just make sure that it contains actual lavender, not added lavender flavoring. Traditional Medicinals makes a lovely Lavender Chamomile tea which could make a very nice syrup.
For the sugar, you can use any type of sugar you like, but keep in mind that organic cane sugar, brown sugar, turbinado sugar or demerara sugar will lend a darker color to the syrup than plain white table sugar.
- Water
- Sugar
- Dried culinary grade lavender flowers
How to add color to the syrup
If you use white sugar, your finished syrup will be mostly clear. However, you can add a purple-ish hue to the syrup by using quality food coloring, the colorful butterfly pea flower tea, or even by adding a few blueberries.
I used a violet food coloring I purchased in a set from Amazon, but another favorite way to color the syrup is to add a few frozen blueberries to the syrup while it's still hot. If the berries are frozen, they will thaw quickly, releasing a surprisingly bright purple-pink color from their skins. Be aware that fresh berries don't have the same effect.
Butterfly pea flowers are a bright blue flower native to Asia that are known for creating a gorgeous blue tea that turns purple-pink when acids like lemon or lime juice are added. Simply add one butterfly pea tea bag or one tablespoon of the dried flowers to the syrup while it's hot.
The quick and easy syrup method
You can heat this syrup on the stove like many simple syrup recipes, but you really don't have to! Dried lavender is loaded with fragrant essential oils that disperse readily in warm water, so it doesn't require a lot of heating like rosemary simple syrup.
Instead, we're going to think of this syrup as a brewing a strong cup of lavender tea and dissolving sugar into it. It's that simple.
- To begin, measure 1 cup of sugar and ¼ cup of dried lavender. Add these ingredients to a heat proof container, like a mason jar or large glass measuring cup.
- Next, pour 1 cup of hot water over the sugar and lavender. Stir to dissolve all of the sugar, then cover and let the mixture steep for at least 10 minutes, or until fully cool.
- Stir one more time, then carefully strain out the lavender using a fine mesh strainer. Add color, if desired, then store the syrup in a clean glass bottle or jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Lavender flavor pairings
Lavender has a distinctive floral and herbaceous flavor that pairs well with a variety of ingredients. Here are some flavors I like to mix this syrup with:
Citrus
Lemon, lime, and orange can enhance the floral notes of lavender while adding a bright and refreshing acidity. The perfect example of this is Lavender Lemonade, but lavender and lemon are a great combination in simple cocktail and mocktail recipes as well.
Honey
The sweetness of honey complements the floral flavor of lavender. Try making this syrup with honey instead of sugar!
Vanilla
Vanilla adds deep, rich, floral undertone that enhances the floral top notes of lavender. Think vanilla ice cream with lavender syrup, lavender milkshake, lavender lattes, or vanilla lavender gin cocktails!
Berry
Berries like strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries complement the floral flavor of lavender while adding a contrasting acidity and fruitiness.
Mint
The fresh and herbaceous flavor of mint pairs well with the clean aroma of lavender. Try adding some fresh mint to your lavender simple syrup, or garnishing lavender cocktails with a big sprig of fresh mint.
Rosemary
The earthy and pine-like flavor of rosemary is a nice contrast to the brighter notes of lavender. This combo is especially herbal and great for gin or vodka cocktails.
Chocolate
The deep notes of chocolate are a surprisingly nice match for the floral flavors of lavender. Combine chocolate, vanilla and lavender for an especially rich and luxurious combination.
You may also enjoy:
- Rose Simple Syrup Recipe
- Lilac Simple Syrup Recipe
- Foraged Forsythia Honey Syrup Recipe
- How to Make Honey Syrup
Lavender Simple Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup hot water
- ¼ cup dried culinary grade lavender flowers
Instructions
- Combine the lavender and sugar in a mason jar or other heatproof container.
- Pour the hot water into the mixture, then stir until all of the sugar has dissolved.
- Cover and let the mixture steep for at least 10 minutes, or until fully cool.
- Stir once more, then strain using a fine mesh strainer, then add coloring, if desired.
- Store the syrup in a glass bottle or jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.