Homemade lavender syrup adds sweetness and floral flavor to tea. This recipe uses water, sugar, and dried culinary lavender, with the lavender strained out before the syrup is finished.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons dried culinary lavender buds labeled for food use
Use lavender sold as a culinary ingredient. Do not substitute essential oil, fragrance products, bath ingredients, or decorative flowers.
Instructions
Prepare the ingredients. Check the culinary lavender for debris and follow any preparation instructions on its packaging.
Infuse the water. Combine the water and lavender in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Strain. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool enough to handle carefully. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer or food-use cheesecloth. Press the buds gently if desired, taking care with the hot liquid.
Add the sugar. Return the strained liquid to the saucepan. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved.
Finish the syrup. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Watch the pan to avoid boiling over or scorching.
Cool and refrigerate. Transfer using equipment and a clean container suitable for the syrup's temperature. Cool promptly, cover, and refrigerate. This is a refrigerated homemade syrup, not a shelf-stable preserve or a canning recipe.
Add it to tea
Start with 1 teaspoon syrup per cup of prepared tea, taste, and add more if desired. The original serving suggestion is 1–2 teaspoons, but the floral intensity will depend on the lavender and preparation.
Try it with a black, green, or herbal blend whose flavors you enjoy. Follow that tea's brewing directions and check its ingredient and caffeine information.
Other serving ideas
Use a small amount to sweeten lemonade or drizzle over a dessert. Adjust the amount to suit the recipe rather than assuming it replaces another sweetener in equal quantities.
Storage
Keep the syrup refrigerated and use clean utensils when serving. This recipe does not provide a tested storage duration; do not assume it can be kept indefinitely or stored at room temperature.
Choose a tea pairing
Browse Beach House Teas for blends to pair with your syrup. Choose by flavor rather than expecting lavender or tea to produce a particular mood or health effect.
