Spring has officially sprung in my neck of the woods, and I plan to be sipping on this refreshing lavender lemonade all season long– and all summer, too! Made with culinary lavender, freshly squeezed lemon juice, honey, and sugar, this lavender lemonade recipe has a delightful floral flavor that’s not too overpowering. Plus, would you look at that color? So fun! Henry and Jack love when I make this fun drink as an after school treat.
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What’s in This Lavender Lemonade Recipe?
I love classic lemonade, but when I heard about lavender lemonade, I knew I had to make it. Lavender has such a unique floral flavor with hints of rosemary and mint, and it pairs so well with tart and refreshing lemonade.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar cuts the acidity of the lemon juice and sweetens this classic drink. You can add more or less depending on your preferred level of sweetness.
- Honey: Plays up the floral flavor of the lavender. I always recommend using local organic honey if you can.
- Lavender: Dried culinary lavender is what you need! Whole Foods sells fresh lavender, but you can also order it on Amazon. You want to be sure you buy lavender meant for eating/cooking.
- Lemon Juice: For the very best flavor, you should really only use freshly squeezed lemon juice! Avoid using anything from concentrate.
- Food Coloring: Just a few drops of blue or purple food coloring is my secret weapon for that pretty purple color. This is optional of course.
Make It A Lavender Lemonade Cocktail
As soon as I learned how to make lavender lemonade, my mind immediately went to how to add alcohol. After rigorous experimentation (you’re welcome!), I have found that vodka and gin taste the best. Vodka will give you a buzz without altering the flavor, while gin will play up the floral elements of the drink.
A bit of champagne would turn it into a nice, bubbly drink for bridal showers or brunch. Or you could also use tequila instead and make a lavender margarita.
How to Store
You can store a pitcher of lavender lemonade in the fridge for up to 1 week. Make sure the pitcher has an airtight lid on it for the best, freshest results.
If you have any leftover beyond a week, I like to pour it into an ice cube tray and make lavender lemonade ice cubes to add to drinks!
Serving Suggestions
I love the idea of this beautiful purple lemonade for a baby shower or gender reveal party, surrounded by delicious desserts. Think glitter lemon cake pops, strawberries foster, or blueberry raspberry coffee cake.
Notes from the Test Kitchen
I recommend adding some purple or blue food coloring to make the color even brighter and prettier, but that is totally optional. It’s a fun twist if you’re making this mocktail for baby or wedding showers, but it’s not necessary.
5-Star Review
“The best lavender lemonade recipe I have tried. Steeping the lavender for 2 hours makes all the difference. Thanks for sharing.” -Karen
Lavender Lemonade Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
Ingredients
- 6 cups water 1,362 grams, divided
- ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams
- ¼ cup honey 88 grams
- 3 tablespoons dried culinary lavender 8 grams, plus more for garnish
- 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice 454 grams, from 10-12 lemons
- Blue or purple food coloring optional, to enhance color
- Lemon slices optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Over medium heat, combine 2 cups of water and the sugar, bringing to a boil until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat and stir in the honey and lavender.6 cups water, ½ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup honey, 3 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
- Allow the mixture to steep for 2 hours (less if you want less of a lavender taste).
- Strain the liquid, pressing the lavender down to make sure you get all of those juices into your mixture!
- In a large pitcher, combine freshly squeezed lemon juice, lavender mixture and the remaining 4 cups of water.2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, 6 cups water
- Feel free to add a couple drops of blue or purple food coloring if you want more color than the lavender provides. Makes the lemonade especially cute for those brunches! Serve over ice.Lemon slices, Blue or purple food coloring
Video
Becky’s Tips
- First and foremost, fresh lavender is a must!
- I recommend adding some purple or blue food coloring to make the color even brighter and prettier, but that is totally optional. It’s a fun twist if you’re making this mocktail for baby or wedding showers, but it’s not necessary.
- If you want to make this a cocktail, just add in a bit of vodka, tequila, champagne…whichever type of alcohol you prefer for your drinks.
- If you have leftovers, freeze lavender lemonade in an ice cube tray and add it to drinks!
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Lavender Lemonade Step by Step
Steep the Lavender: Over medium heat, combine 2 cups of water and ½ cup of granulated sugar, bringing to a boil until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat and stir in ¼ cup of honey and 3 tablespoons of dried culinary lavender. Allow the mixture to steep for 2 hours (less if you want less of a lavender taste).
Strain the Lavender Syrup: Strain the liquid, pressing the lavender down to make sure you get all of those juices into your mixture!
Make the Lemonade: In a large pitcher, combine 2 cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice, the lavender mixture, and the remaining 4 cups of water. Feel free to add a couple drops of blue or purple food coloring if you want more color than the lavender provides. Makes the lemonade especially cute for those brunches! Serve over ice.
Personally, this drink doesn’t make me tired. However, lavender has been known to have natural relaxing qualities that are said to help with insomnia. This may be just the drink for you to sip on before bed!
Nope! This drink is naturally caffeine-free.
Lavender is believed to soothe anxiety and headaches, so the next time you’re feeling burnt out, reach for a glass of this tasty lemonade.
The link to the dried lavender on Amazon says that it is not edible. Do you have a source for food grade dried lavender? Thanks!
Williams & Sonoma
Or
World Market
* Culinary Lavender
This may be a stupid question, but I’m going to ask anyway. The directions say to stir in agave nectar but the ingredient list says honey. Are they interchangeable?
Whoops! My apologies. Yes they are interchangeable…whichever you prefer! I’m fixing the recipe now. Thanks for noticing!
The best lavender lemonade recipe I have tried. Steeping the lavender for 2 hours makes all the difference. Thanks for sharing.
So glad you love the recipe!!! xo
How do I dry out the fresh lavender?
I am making this for my niece’s bridal shower. I’m curious how far in advance I can make it? Is it best fresh? Or would it be ok to make it 2-3 days in advance?
Thank you!!
Hi, did you do it in advance? I want to make this for my wedding but it needs to be premade. wondering if a day or two before is okay.
Would adding champagne Instead of vodka work? Also how much does this make?
Yes that would be yummy! This makes 6-8 glasses of lemonade.
Becky, we are having a lavender bridal shower. I would like mine to look exactly like yours. So what exactly did you use? Some readers are saying theirs is not as pretty or is pinkish. The color as well as the taste is a big deal for me.
Thanks for sharing,
Susan
I used the neon once and added a bit of pink to the purple
I made this with cooking lavender but my lemonade isn’t the lovely purple :( any tips
You can use a little food coloring. Not quite as fun, but still works!!
mine is more pink, but still pretty :)
Agave nectar (as in the directions) or honey (as in the ingredient list)??????
whoops! The directions were meant to say agave nectar OR honey. Whichever you prefer. Thanks for catching that!
Oh this is sooo pretty!! This would be a perfect drink to serve at a bridal shower or a baby shower!! Pinned!!
Thank you so much Malinda!