DIY Network

Lavender Lemonade Fragrant lavender infuses fresh lemonade. From "Creative Juice" episode DCRJ-208L

Your childhood lemonade stand never served anything like this! Fresh lavender sprigs infuse lemonade for a treat that tastes like summer in a glass (and we've included a variation for adults only).

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Lavender Lemonade

Tools:

5 c. water
1-1/2 c. sugar
6-12 stems of fresh lavender
2-1/4 c. freshly squeezed lemon juice
2-qt. saucepan
strainer
optional: 1 c. vodka

1. Bring 2-1/2 cups of water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and add the sugar, stirring until dissolved (figure A), to create a simple syrup. Add the lavender stems and remove the saucepan from the heat (figure B).

2. Cover the pot and allow the mixture to cool about 10 minutes. This step allows the lavender to infuse into the syrup. Remove the lavender from the syrup and strain to remove any small pieces (figure C).

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

3. Combine the remaining water, lemon juice and lavender syrup and stir well. Serve over crushed ice and garnish with lemons and/or lavender sprigs.

Optional: Add 1 cup of vodka to make spiked lemonade for the adults.