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!
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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!
Nutrition
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This was THE BEST lemonade! And so easy! The lavender was subtle but perfect! I will definitely make this again.
 I want to make this but I cannot find the actual recipe!Â
Hi Stephanie,
SO sorry about that! I’m not sure what happened, but the recipe is back up. My apologies!
Fantastic! I used half the amount of sugar and everyone who tasted it found it quite sweet. I’ll use even less sugar next time as the people who visit my house tend to be anti sugar but I loved how easy and delicious this recipe was!
Where can you buy fresh lavender sprigs typically?
Some grocery stores have them, but you could always buy a plant and use it all season. You can also find dried culinary lavender buds at speciality stores.
I adore lavender. This lemonade sounds delicious. Going to pick some right now!
My husband just trimmed back the lavender! I’m making lavender lemonade! Thanks!
I was expecting there to be lavender essential oil involved. I wonder what it would do to the blend just one or two drops?? :-)
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Lemon juice and rind are used to make marmalade and lemon liqueur. Lemon slices and lemon rind are used as a garnish for food and drinks. Lemon zest, the grated outer rind of the fruit, is used to add flavor to baked goods, puddings, rice and other dishes.,..-..
http://caramoan.coBest wishes
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You made me smile when you wrote about Asheville. Seems that I always choose the right day to check your newest updates (granted I'm behind today). Good lemonade is hard to find so only for that I love this post and using the quintessential French touch -lavender !! Going to try this this weekend.
I love beverages like this for the summer…something a little more interesting than plain lemonade or iced tea.
This sounds amazing. I love lavender and am always looking out for new ways to use it in recipes. Such an unusual idea: thanks for sharing it.
hopeeternal
'Meanderings through my Cookbook'
http://www.hopeeternalcookbook.wordpress.com
It is like a grown up lemonade! That would be perfect for a tea party.
I wish I could grow lavender here :( The idea of a lavender scented lemonade is brilliant.
Oh my gosh! Great minds do think alike :-) I looove your photos. Simply gorgeous!
I love lavender. I use it quite a bit in my cuisine. Beautiful photos.
Cheers!
This is so beautiful and so summery! I cant wait for the sun to come out here in london so i can enjoy this to the max!
Ohhh so nice… I love lavender, I have a lot in the garden, I have a lemon tree too and with this heat -I do not like the summer – at least I can enjoy this refreshing drink…!!
OH my goodness, if only you knew how I love lavender in food (not in scent)! I could add it everyhwhere. That lemonade seems to be divine!
Great lemonade recipe there, thank you for sharing it with us!
Bon appetit!
CCR
=:~)
In one swift movement I turn my head to look out my window at my lavander. It still there!
No flowers but your recipe only calls for the leaves so tomarrow…Lavender lemonade!!
Thank you so much for the inspiration! And please thank your neighbor too!
What a gorgeous snapshot of this drink and I have never heard of it before your blog…sounds wonderful! Got to try this :)
I am so making this and then I'm setting upa lemonade stand. I would love to use this recipe for the Examiner and credit you (with a link to your blog). Let me know if that would be all right with you – either way this is being made!
This post makes me so happy. The idea of lavender in lemonade, the photos, the Mexican glass pitcher that reminds me of many shopping trips across the border and also that great quote by Mae West – thanks for the smiles!
Lavender lemonade, oh how glorious..my mouth is watering I love lemonade but with lavender over the top my friend…I can see why they make great profits with this spectacular drink. I will be more than happy sipping this all summer, too funny you post about lavender, we are going the Blanco, Texas lavender festival this weekend..can't wait..
sweetlife
ps, thanks for your lovely comment on chuls at denise's page, oh how it made me smile..
What a lovely photo. I can imagine how refreshing this must be on a lazy and hot afternoon. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary
Thanks to you I have another lemonade to try this summer! I love the addition of lavender and we get a huge crop of lavender in our mountain home!
what a wonderfully refreshing looking drink!
I'm very curious about the dog blessing ceremony! Any hoo… lavender lemonade sounds divine! Bookmarked your recipe!
Wonderful and refreshing. So great you added lavender!
If the promised sun and warm weather finally arrive this weekend in the NW, I will celebrate with a pitcher of lavender lemonade!
I did not realize you could use the leaves….very cool! Thanks for sharing the recipe. Love lavendar and I know I'll love this refreshing drink :)
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.