The flowers of Lavender "Provence" have a sweet, mildly fruity aroma
that makes iced lemonade especially refreshing on a hot summer day.
Right now, the lavender is blooming madly outside the front door. Furry bumblebees are buzzing lazily amongst the rich violet spikes of “Provence”and the bluer ones of “Munstead". The flowers are so profuse that the bees don’t really mind if I steal a few from under their noses. (In the insect world, that would be “from under their probosces…”)
If you don’t have lavender in your garden, this is the moment to look for freshly harvested stalks at your local farmers market—but be sure that it’s organic, or at least unsprayed. One of the simplest and most refreshing ways to experiment with lavender is to use it as a flavoring for lemonade. Pick a few blossoms, make a simple syrup, add water and steep until the sugar mixture has a light floral taste. Then add freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste and chill until very cold.
Fresh lavender imparts a subtle flavor to the lemonade. If you are using dried culinary lavender, cut the amount in half since its stronger taste can quickly become overpowering. At Sunshine Lavender Farm, Annie Baggett makes lemonade by putting dried lavender in a tea ball and letting it steep in hot water until the desired flavor is reached.
Lavender Lemonade
Makes a generous quart
Ingredients:
3-1/2 cups water
1 cup sugar
5 fresh lavender flower heads, or 1-1/2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender (see note)
2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, strained
4 springs fresh lavender, for garnish
1. Combine 1 cup of water with the sugar in a medium saucepan over a hot flame and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Add the remaining 2-1/2 cups water and the fresh or dried lavender and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. (If using dried lavender, put it in a tea ball.) Remove from the heat and let the mixture steep for 20 minutes, or until it has a light lavender taste.
2. Strain the mixture into a pitcher or jar, and stir in the lemon juice. Refrigerate until it is cold.
3. To serve, pour the lemonade over a glass of ice and garnish with a sprig of fresh lavender.
Note: Dried culinary lavender can be ordered from www.adrianascaravan.com or from www.sunshinelavenderfarm.com.