 be used in the same fashion as these herbs. Lavender is so versatile in the kitchen, that virtually any cooking experiment with it will give you favorable results.
Lavender is also a prized medicinal herb, and once dry, it can be made into teas and tinctures that calm the nerves and help you to sleep. But if you buy lavender for culinary or medicinal purposes, don’t buy it from a craft store and make sure you get it organic, because it is often heavily sprayed with pesticides and chemicals to preserve its color.
It’s very hot in the garden these days, so there’s nothing like a cold glass of lemonade to cool you down on a sweaty, summer day. But the powdered lemon drink that passes as lemonade these days is not only bad for your health, it tastes downright saccharine!
Since the lavender is blooming and the lemons are ripe here in Southern California, this home-brewed lemonade hits the spot with a distinctive, refreshing taste and plenty of Vitamin C.
Lavender Lemonade with Honey
Yield 1 quart
- Bring 2 1/2 cups purified water to boil in a medium pan
- Remove from heat and add honey, stirring to dissolve.
- Add the lavender to the honey water, cover, and let steep at least 20 minutes or up to several hours, to taste. You can put the lavender into a tea infuser or reusable tea bag for easier clean up.
- Strain mixture and compost/discard lavender
- Pour infusion into a glass pitcher
- Add lemon juice and approximately another 2 1/2 cups of cold water, to taste. Stir well.
- Refrigerate until ready to use, or pour into tall glasses half-filled with ice, then garnish with lavender sprigs.
- Sit on the porch a spell and enjoy!
I DO NOT recommend using lavender essential oil in this recipe. Consuming lavender oil can be toxic, cause allergic reactions, as well as contribute to hormone imbalances in men and boys. Signs of lavender oil toxicity (requiring a call to Poison Control) include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, burning pain in the throat, difficulty breathing and skin rash.
Recommended for This Recipe
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