Lavender Syrup

I love fancy coffees, and sometimes there’s not always a vegan variation that you can get at all coffee shops. It’s cheaper to make your own homemade lavender syrup, and it doesn’t take a lot of time.

Today I’m sharing a simple recipe for lavender syrup. I saw it at a coffee shop, and they called their iced latte a Lavender Rain. They steeped dried lavender buds into their milk ahead of time, so there was no vegan option. If you make my homemade syrup, you can use it in the non-dairy milk of your choice. I like mine in coffee and tea, but a lavender latte is always a welcome choice.

Do you love floral flavors?

I don’t know why, but lavender seems to be polarizing just like beets – people either love its floral notes or hate it. I love floral flavor in my drinks like orange flower water in my iced tea and roses in my hot chocolate.

Can you cook with any lavender?

You need to make sure the lavender you use is for culinary uses. If you grew it or bought organic from your local farmers market you should be okay, but if you buy it on Amazon make sure it’s culinary-grade lavender.

If you are buying lavender to make this lavender syrup on amazon, make sure that it’s culinary grade.

Can I use fresh lavender blossoms?

If you’ve grown the lavender yourself and are sure no harsh or dangerous pesticide sprays have been applied, you can use it.

Another option is to go to one of your local lavender farms and purchase some fresh ones there. Let them know that you are going to use it in food. It’s also just magical to be around so many. lavender plants.

What does culinary lavender mean?

Some lavender is grown for the floral industry and may have pesticides that are not safe for cooking with. The word culinary lavender is a green light to use in cooking.

Why doesn’t this syrup have a pale lavender or purple color?

While lavender blossoms are a pale lavender color when they steep they do not bleed that color off into the syrup. If you want to turn it purple you’ll need to use food coloring of some sort.

The best part of making your own syrups is that you can use the sweetener that fits with your diet and use your favorite non-dairy milk. You can always have your coffee as strong or weak as you want. 

What parts of lavender can you cook with?

If you are lucky enough to grow your own lavender, you can cook with both fresh leaves and flowers. Dried you can use the buds and stems to flavor too.

If you are buying culinary lavender it will usually be the lavender buds.

Lavender syrup recipe:

This is a basic simple syrup recipe with an infusion of lavender flavor. Plain simple syrup is just water and sugar, but add a small amount of lavender and it becomes magical.

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup coconut sugar, vegan pure cane sugar, or even agave nectar or maple syrup in a pinch
• 1 tablespoon culinary lavender, I like to use organic lavender when I can find it

How to make lavender syrup:

Put the water and coconut sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir and cook until the sugar dissolves into the syrup. This will take about 3 minutes.

Take the pan off the heat and stir in the lavender. Steep 5 to 8 minutes depending on how strong you like it. Taste at the 5-minute mark and add the other 3 minutes on if you don’t taste enough of the lavender flavor.

Strain through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the lavender buds. Store in the fridge for about 2 to 3 weeks.

Use about 1 – 3 tablespoons of the syrup in hot or iced coffee to sweeten to taste.

Can I make syrup in my slow cooker?

Yes, you can, just add all the ingredients to a small 1½ to 2-quart slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours.

How do you use lavender syrup?

You can use the syrup in plain sparkling water to make a homemade lavender soda. It also makes a great lavender martini. I love it in iced and hot coffee. It’s great in tea and it’s amazing with Earl Grey Tea.

How do I store coffee and cocktail syrups?

I like to use small resealable glass containers and store them in the fridge. The syrup will last several weeks in the fridge.

More lavender & drink recipes to try

• Crockpot Lavender Rose Cocoa
• Kick Your Coffee-shop Habit with these 7 Vegan Recipes
• Make Cold Brew Coffee in Your Own French Press
• Vegan Lavender London Fog Popsicles
• A Coffeehouse in Your Cupboard: DIY Vegan London Fog