Lavender.

The scent makes me want to breathe in as deep as possible, so I can keep that marvelous aroma in my lungs. The taste reminds me of the Lavender Pastille candies in the oval tin that Grandma used to keep in her purse. The color reminds me of the beautiful Jacaranda trees that bloom every June here in Southern California.

It also reminds me of Hawai’i. I visited Kauai two years ago and tasted a delightful drink made with lavender.  I remember thinking that “only in paradise” would you find something so delicious. Last Sunday, I made my weekly trip to the Claremont Farmers Market and I picked up a freshly cut bunch of organic lavender, along with all of my week’s needs. By the time I got home, the car smelled so good! I was inspired by the scent, and reminisced about Hawai’i again. So, I started working away and came up with a couple ideas for you to try.

Lavender Simple Syrup

(*Note your home will smell amazing while this is cooking!*)
1 full packed cup certified organic lavender leaves and flowers (stems removed)
 4 cups filtered drinking water
4 cups organic sugar

Cut 2 pieces of cheesecloth to about 12″-15″ long. Place the lavender in the middle of the first piece of cheesecloth, and tightly wrap. Tie the ends. Repeat with the second piece of cheesecloth. Add bundle to water and sugar in a cooking pot. Cover and heat on high till boiling. Keep covered, and turn heat to low for 30 minutes. Squeeze liquid out of bundle and pour syrup into clean, sterilized bottles. Allow to cool, and replace corks, or lids (whichever you’re using). Keep refrigerated. Keeps for weeks in the fridge. (step-by-step photos following recipes)

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Lavender Lemonade

2 Tablespoons Lavender Simple Syrup
2 Tablespoons fresh Meyer Lemon juice (or Eureka)
1 cup San Peligrino sparkling water (or club soda)

Mix together well, float a few lavender flower stems on top.  Ice optional.

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Lavender Mahalo

½ Armenian cucumber (the tiny tender kind), peeled, thickly sliced
2 ounces Silver Tequila
2 ounces Lavender Simple Syrup
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
½ cup ice

Muddle cucumber in shaker till all juice is extracted. Add remaining ingredients, replace lid and shake well. Strain liquid into glass and garnish with 2 slices of cucumber on rim.

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Step-by-step Lavender Simple Syrup

 Add bundle to water and sugar in a cooking pot. Cover and heat on high till boiling. Keep covered, and turn heat to low for 30 minutes. Squeeze liquid out of bundle and pour syrup into clean, sterilized bottles. Allow to cool, and replace corks or lids.

I hope you enjoy this little bit of Liquid Lavender.

Have you ever tried Lavender in a drink? How about Lavender Jelly?

While I’m still thinking about Hawai’i… here’s my favorite island song from the legendary Hawaiian, Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole

I’d love to hear what you’d like to taste with lavender! Let me know what you think below…