Daydreaming of the delicious ways to use spring blooms has been getting me through the rainy end-of-winter blues. Speaking of, did you know that fresh lilacs are completely edible?! Lilac lemonade is one of my favorite drinks to whip up on a sunny day. This lemonade has a delicate floral flavor – Perfect for picnics or quenching your thirst at home!
Keep reading for a quick and delicious lilac lemonade recipe and save it to share this spring. All you need are fresh lilac flowers, lemons, water, and some sugar.
Recipe first, the rest second
Been here before? You know how it is! Find my recipe directly below, then read the extra stuff and see some pics of the recipe below.
Lilac lemonade recipe
Equipment
- Citrus juicer
Ingredients
- 2 cups Lilac flowers
- 2 cups Sugar
- 1 cup Fresh lemon juice (about 7-9 lemons)
- 10 cups Water
- Handful Fresh lilac flowers (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare your simple syrup by bringing 2 cups of fresh (and clean) lilac flowers, 2 cups of sugar, and 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan.
- Lower to medium heat, stirring constantly, and cook until the sugar has dissolved. Leave to cool.
- While your simple syrup is cooling, juice lemons and strain the seeds (see below for store-bought conversion).
- Once cool, strain the flowers from your syrup and add 1 cup of the simple syrup to a pitcher (save the rest in an airtight jar for later).
- Slowly combine lemon juice and simple syrup in a pitcher. Mix well!
- Add remaining water and mix well. For best results, chill for a minimum of one hour before serving.
- Adjust the lemon juice and simple syrup to taste and serve over ice with a sprig of fresh lilac flowers for garnish.
How to store lilac lemonade
Just like my haskap berry lemonade recipe, this lilac lemonade can be stored in a sealed container for about one week in the fridge.
Using lilac water instead of simple syrup
Not everyone loves simple syrup. An alternative to using this, but still enjoying the delicate flavor of fresh lilac blossoms, is to create an infused lilac water. You can then add lemon juice and a sweetener of your choice (like liquid stevia).
Or, if you want an extra floral lemonade, you can use lilac water in addition to lilac infused simple syrup.
To make lilac water
Simply put 2-3 heads of cleaned lilac blooms into a pitcher of about 6-8 cups of water (not going to lie, I just eyeball it…) and leave it to sit for a minimum of two hours. For more flavor, let it “steep” overnight before taking out the blooms and using it for a drink.
Using bottled lemon juice (in place of fresh)
While I prefer to use fresh lemon juice in my summer drinks, you can easily substitute bottled juice for fresh lemons when making lilac lemonade. Just switch out the fresh juice for bottled!
Adjusting the sweetness
To be honest, when I make this recipe I cut the simple syrup significantly. I prefer a stronger floral and lemon flavor. My suggestion here is to start with less simple syrup, prepare it fully, taste test it, then add more syrup to taste!
Making it boozy
Lilac lemonade itself is a delicious thirst quencher on a hot day… But I would be lying if I said I’ve never made it boozy! Add 1oz of either gin or vodka to your fresh lemonade (per glass). Toss in some flowers or freeze flowers into your ice cubes for garnish.
To make the entire pitcher into a tipsy lilac lemonade, add 1-2 cups of your desired liquor. Yes, 1-2 cups is a big difference – But start with 1 and add more to taste. You can add booze but you can’t take it out!
Variations of lilac lemonade
While the classic recipe for lilac lemonade is delicious on its own, there are many ways to mix things up and add your own personal touch to this popular drink.
Here are some ideas:
- Lilac-basil lemonade: For a twist on the classic recipe, try adding fresh basil leaves to your lilac lemonade for a delicious herby flavor.
- Strawberry lilac lemonade: If you’re looking for a sweeter option, try adding fresh strawberries to your lilac lemonade for a fruity and refreshing drink.
- Lavender lilac lemonade: Lavender and lilacs compliment each other beautifully. Try adding fresh lavender flowers to your lilac lemonade for a unique flavor and aroma.
- Ginger lilac lemonade: If you’re looking for a drink with a little extra kick, try adding fresh ginger to your lilac lemonade for a bit of spice.
- Mint lilac lemonade: For a fresh and crisp twist, try adding fresh mint leaves.
Are lilacs edible?
Lilacs are one of the many edible flowers available to nourish us. Their bold blooms and intense smell make for a great addition to an edible garden if you’re looking to add a shrub or tree to your space. According to Fernandes et al., these flowers have both a delicious flavor, can be used to reduce fever, and rid yourself of internal parasites. Check out their study here to learn more.
Conclusion
In conclusion, lilac lemonade is a versatile and delicious drink that can be enjoyed in many different ways. With its unique flavor and health benefits, it may just become one of your favorites. Whether you prefer the classic recipe or are looking to try something new, there are many variations of lilac lemonade to suit your personal taste.
Thank you for reading. ♡
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Frequently asked questions about lilac lemonade
Can you drink lilac water?
Yes! Lilacs are an edible flower with a delicate floral taste. They’re great for infused water recipes like lilac water (or lilac lemonade!).
Why is my lilac syrup bitter?
It’s important to make sure that you only use the lilac flowers when making your simple syrup. If there are any leaves or stems boiled during the first part of the process, your syrup will taste bitter.
What is lilac syrup good for?
Lilac syrup is great in drinks like this lilac lemonade. It’s also delicious mixed with soda, tonic, or paired with lemon or berry recipes.
Resources
Edible flowers: A review of the nutritional, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties and effects on human health, by Luana Fernandes, Susana Casal, José Alberto Pereira, Jorge A. Saraiva, and Elsa Ramalhosa
