I never ever would have considered lavender as a beverage flavoring were it not for a pleasant occasion a month ago or so when my sister and I went to a favorite coffee shop in Maryland, one we are rarely able to visit but enjoy very much. As we perused the lengthy menu board, the final item on the list caught my sister’s eye and she exclaimed that she *HAD* to try it.
What was that concoction she had to try? Lavender Iced Coffee.
Hmmm, I thought, unconvinced,but in the end, decided to follow my sister’s footsteps and give it a try. It sounded refreshing, and didn’t seem like it would be too horrible, plus I love to try new things.
A Refreshing New Twist
Word. It was amazing. Refreshing, yes! Also, quite delicious and crave-worthy. In a remarkable turn of events, however, I completely forgot about it once I got home and only remembered it when I was trying to brainstorm essential-oils-based refreshments for a class I was teaching.
In a flash of inspiration, I recalled the herbal goodness of the lavender iced coffee I had enjoyed, and realized it would be ridiculously easy to duplicate it by quickly boiling up a simple syrup and adding some lavender essential oil to it.
Easy peasy! And, of course, this versatile lavender syrup can be used for much more than coffee - splash it in lemonade, tea, punch, or anywhere else you’d like a dash of flavor.
Recipe: Lavender Syrup
Summary: a refreshing flavored syrup you can add to hot and cold beverages
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar (I used coconut sugar)
- 1 cup water
- 3-4 drops lavender essential oil*
Instructions
- Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan. Stir and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or so.
- Cool to room temperature and add lavender oil. Store bottled in the refrigerator.
*Most lavender oil available on the general market today is more than likely adulterated in one way or another. I only use Young Living lavender oil because I know that Young Living controls the process from planting the seed in the ground to putting the seal on the bottle, and I know there’s nothing in it but the best and finest lavender oil available!
Speak Your Mind