A close up view of a table setting with a light blue vintage champagne glass and another glass with white stripes both filled with a pink drink. The table is covered with a white cloth and there is vintage silverware in the scene as we as a white platter with potato salad on it. A small crystal case has a few lupine wild flower stems is in the background.

Recipe for Lavender Lemonade

Without a doubt, and unlike yours, this has been the most interesting/unique/stressful summer. Ever. But, when life gives you lemons – even when they’re shitty ones – you need to make lemonade. So in honor of that duty, here’s a recipe for lavender lemonade with a little rhubarb kick for a bit of extra summery-ness.

A small picnic scene in a field of wild flowers with a basket set on a small wood bench with a pitcher of lemonade on top with two filled glasses next to it. A basket lined with a blue cloth and filled with peaches and cherries is sitting on a cutting board in front of the basket.

A small table sitting in a field of wild flowers covered in a white linen cloth with two place settings, a small dish of lemons, a platter pull of potato salad and a small bowl of cherries is on the table along with a light blue vintage champagne glass and a glass with white stripes both filled with a pink colored drink.

Homemade Lemonade – Because It’s Better

I cannot drink sweet. I can eat sweet, just can’t drink it. Therefore, I avoid drink mixes like the plague, or in this case COVID-19. There’s so much added sugar with store bought mixes so I prefer to make my own. Also, we have access to amazing produce throughout the summer so why not go fresh? This lemonade recipe is easy too, so there’s really no excuses!

Lemonade with Simple Syrup

To sweeten the freshly squeezed juice in a homemade lemonade recipe, a simple syrup is typically added. I’ve been strongly avoiding using refined sugar to sweeten anything, so this lavender lemonade is made with honey. The flavors gain strength in the process of making the syrup as they steep before adding it to the lemon juice. See more of my honey sweetened simple syrups in this Carrot Cocktail recipe and this French 75.

How to Make Lavender Lemonade

Squeeze those lemons! That’s how you start. Get about a cup of that stuff and pour it in the pitcher. Here’s how you add that lavender flavor. To a sauce pan, add a couple cups of water, raw honey, the lavender and rhubarb and simmer until the honey dissolves. Turn the heat off and let those flavors steep for about 30 minutes until they gain a bit of strength. Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve and add it, and another two cups of water to the pitcher of lemon juice. Stir, add ice, pour, and garnish.