Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup
This Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup is floral and herbaceous, easy, and made in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for lavender drinks, coffee, and cocktails during lavender season and beyond.
Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup
As a nutrition consultant and chef, I’m always looking for simple ways to elevate everyday recipes. That’s exactly what Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup does. It’s one of those little kitchen secrets that sounds fancy but is actually very easy to make. I love making simple syrups, especially during teh spring and summer, and add it to my sparkling water. Lavender reminds me of walking through European gardens in the summer, that soft, calming aroma in the air. Lavender season is something I look forward to every year, just like peach season. This lavender syrup is one of those lavender recipes that I like to keep on hand, and I add it to baking, coolers, fermented soda, cocktails, lemonade, coffee, mocktails, and spritzers. quickly became a staple. And the best part? It’s ready in under 30 minutes and makes you feel like you’ve got a tiny apothecary in your kitchen. More lavender recipes here.
Why Lavender?
Lavender has been used in kitchens for centuries; ancient Romans scented their wine with it, the French built an entire regional cuisine around it, and Provençal bakers have long folded it into honey cakes and shortbreads. Its flavor is floral and herbaceous with a subtle woody note underneath, sitting somewhere between mint, rosemary, and a fresh-cut garden.
Ingredients for Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup
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Did you know?
Lavender is part of the mint family, which surprises a lot of people. Once you know that, it makes sense why it works so well in recipes alongside herbs like rosemary or thyme. It’s not just floral, it has a subtle herbal backbone that gives it that signature floral and herbaceous flavor you love in lavender recipes and lavender drinks.
How to Make Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup
- Add water and coconut sugar to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves completely. You don’t need a rolling boil here, just a gentle heat to bring everything together.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, add the lavender buds. Let the mixture simmer very lightly for 5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the lavender steep for about 10–15 minutes. You do not want to over-steep because the syrup can become bitter.
- Strain the lavender buds through a fine-mesh strainer.
- Stir in a small amount of lemon juice, let it cool, and that’s it. You now have your own Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup ready to use.
What is Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water, usually in a 1:1 ratio. It’s gently heated until smooth, then cooled.
Because it’s already dissolved, it mixes instantly into drinks, no grainy sugar sinking to the bottom. It’s the easiest way to sweeten things like coffee, tea, lemonade, and cocktails, and it’s also perfect for infusing flavors like lavender.
Dried or Fresh?
Both work, but with important differences. Dried culinary lavender is more concentrated in flavor; you’ll use less of it, and the oils are more accessible after drying. This is the better choice for most people, more reliable, and available year-round. Look for varieties labeled “culinary lavender” or specifically Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender), which is sweeter and more food-friendly than ornamental varieties.
Fresh lavender gives a lighter, greener flavor, lovely in summer when you have it, but you’ll need to roughly double the quantity to get the same intensity. Strip the blossoms from the stems and use them immediately.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Lavender buds: You can use fresh lavender instead of dried, just double the amount since fresh herbs are milder
- Coconut sugar: Swap with honey for a softer, more floral sweetness or maple syrup for a deeper flavor
- Lemon juice: Lime juice works well if you want a slightly different citrus twist
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Chef Angie’s Tips
- Use only culinary-grade lavender; this is non-negotiable unless you want your syrup to taste like perfume.
- Avoid lavender essential oil in cooking. It is far too concentrated a single drop can ruin an entire batch. The real buds deliver the right amount of flavor without the risk of medicinal bitterness.
- Don’t over-steep the lavender; subtle is the goal here.
- If you want a deeper purple color, you can add pea flower powder.
- Taste as you go, especially during steeping, to control the intensity.
- For a richer syrup: Use a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water (2 cups sugar, 1 cup water). This produces a thicker, more intense syrup that keeps even longer and works beautifully drizzled over desserts.
Ways To Serve
- Stir into your morning coffee or lattes for a floral upgrade
- Add to iced tea or lemonade for refreshing lavender drinks
- Use in cocktails like a lavender gin spritz or a champagne cocktail
- Drizzle over pancakes, waffles, parfaits or yogurt
- Add a splash to whipped cream or desserts for a subtle twist
Storage
Store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 2 weeks.
FAQ
Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried?
Yes, fresh lavender works beautifully. Just use a bit more, since the flavor is milder than that of dried lavender buds.
Why does my syrup taste too strong?
It likely steeped too long. Lavender can become overpowering and bitter quickly, so next time, reduce the steeping time.
Can I use this in savory recipes?
Absolutely. A small drizzle can work well in salad dressings or marinades, especially paired with lemon and olive oil.
Now it’s your turn to bring a little lavender season magic into your kitchen. Make this Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup, try it in your favorite lavender drinks, and see how it elevates your everyday rituals. If you loved it, share this blog with a friend, save it for later, and pin it so you always have this easy recipe on hand. Trust me, once you start, your coffee will never be boring again.
Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup
Equipment
- spoon
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp Lavender
- 1 cup Coconut sugar or allulose
- 2 cups Water
- 3 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp Butterfly pea powder optional
Instructions
- Add water and coconut sugar to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves completely. You don't need a rolling boil here, just a gentle heat to bring everything together.2. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the lavender buds. Let the mixture simmer very lightly for 5 minutes.3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the lavender steep for about 10–15 minutes. You do not want to over-steep because the syrup can become bitter.4. Strain the lavender buds through a fine-mesh strainer.5. Stir in a small amount of lemon juice, let it cool, and that's it. You now have your own Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup ready to use
Nutrition
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