Is there anything more refreshing than lemonade on a hot day? I’m here to tell you there IS – it’s lavender lemonade, and I’m sharing our secret family recipe for this all-natural, lower-sugar summer sipper!
I have surprised so many friends with this, and as a small party gift or picnic addition, it’s a foolproof crowd-pleaser and a new summer drink staple.
This recipe prioritizes flavor and health by significantly reducing the sugar content without compromising taste, making it an excellent choice for those who are watching their sugar intake or simply seeking a more nutritious option.
Get ready to indulge in this enchanting and revitalizing concoction that will have your taste buds singing!
How does lavender lemonade taste different from regular lemonade?
Our low-sugar lavender lemonade recipe combines the tangy zest of freshly squeezed lemons with the soothing floral notes of lavender, creating a beautifully balanced drink perfect for cooling down on warm afternoons or entertaining guests.
And let’s bust this lavender lemonade myth right now: lavender lemonade is NOT lavender in color (or any shade of purple, for that matter). When made with all-natural ingredients, it’s actually a lovely soft peachy-pink color.Â
For more refreshing drink recipes kids can help with in the kitchen, invite the littles to help put together an ice-cold pitcher of Pop Rocks punch or find a healthy summer thirst-quencher in our collection of kid-made summer drink recipes. Experiment with more summer kid favorites in our collection of DIY popsicle ideas for kids.
Homemade Lavender Lemonade Ingredients:
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Makes roughly 1/2 gallon and serves 4-6
- 3 Tbsp of edible lavender (we used local, but I like this edible kind too)
- 6Â cups water
- 1/4 c. honey
- 1/4 c. sugar
- 6 lemons, juiced (or 2 cups of lemon juice)
How to Make Our Secret Family Recipe for Lavender Lemonade
Discover a refreshing low-sugar lavender lemonade recipe with step-by-step instructions, perfect for warm afternoons or entertaining guests. Indulge in a healthier, flavorful twist on a classic beverage.
Combine water, honey, and sugar over heat.
Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot, stirring in the honey & sugar. Heads up, we like our lemonade SOUR in this household, so I’ve used much less sugar than a typical lemonade recipe calls for. Depending on what you’re used to, you may want to add a 1/2 or full cup – but remember, you can always add more later!
Add lavender, cover, and let simmer.
Reduce to a simmer, add the lavender, and cover for 30 minutes to 1 hour (the longer you can let it infuse, the stronger the taste and pinkish hue will be).
Pour the lemon juice into a pitcher.
Pour your lemon juice into a pitcher and top with a sieve.
Add the strained lavender liquid to the pitcher of lemon juice.
Pour the lavender mixture into your lemon juice, straining out the hard bits. Your lavender mixture will look brown on the stove, but watching it all turn pink as the two mix is truly the delight of this process!
Refrigerate until cold and serve over ice.
Beautiful, naturally-light pink lavender lemonade! Before transferring the homemade lemonade to your chosen container, allow it to cool to room temperature. This helps prevent condensation, which can dilute the lemonade and affect its taste. Refrigerate until cold, and serve with lots of ice cubes and lovely little lemon slices!
And guys, that gorgeous color… it’s NATURAL! There is absolutely no food coloring here. Added benefit? Since lavender is a natural relaxer, worries melt away with every glass…
For an extra delicious treat (and a little pop of color), I also like to garnish with blueberries, raspberries, or other in-season fruits.
Lavender Lemonade Recipe Tips & FAQ
Why low sugar instead of sugar-free?
Low-sugar options strike a balance between taste and health, providing a “more enjoyable”just-sweet-enough” flavor that may be more appealing to children than completely sugar-free alternatives.
Some sugar-free products use artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes, which may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, have an undesirable aftertaste, or pose potential health concerns.
By opting for a low-sugar version, you can control the type and amount of sweetener, allowing for a more natural and wholesome approach to sweetness. This can encourage kids to develop a preference for less sugary treats.
What can I use as a natural sugar substitute?
Of the options I’ve tried, light agave nectar and maple syrup work well, although syrup may change the color of your lavender lemonade a bit.
One compelling option I haven’t yet tested is substituting beet juice for the sugar. Being familiar with the flavor, I can imagine it would add a hint of sweetness, brighten and lighten the flavor, and as an added bonus, would definitely deepen the pink hue of the drink.
What’s the best way to store it?
Use a clean, airtight pitcher or bottle made of glass, BPA-free plastic, or stainless steel. Glass is ideal as it doesn’t absorb flavors or odors and is easy to clean (a mason jar works great!).
Avoid storing homemade lemonade at room temperature, as it can spoil quickly due to the presence of freshly squeezed fruit juice.
What do I need to look for when buying lavender for cooking?
When purchasing culinary lavender, make sure it is labeled as “culinary” or “food-grade,” as some decorative or aromatic lavender varieties may have been treated with chemicals that are unsafe for consumption.
Where can I find organic culinary lavender?
Specialty food stores, farmers’ markets, tea shops, and online retailers are all great places to find organic culinary lavender.
Of course, locally grown lavender is the very best kind (and makes a great family day trip). You can discover a farm near you on this list of lavender farms organized by state for US folks.Â
When I used to visit Northern Michigan in the summer, we’d stop at the beautiful Lavender Hill Farms every year for their freshly picked lavender, so I just have to give it a mention! You can purchase their culinary lavender online if you don’t live in the area.
Simple Additions to Lavender Lemonade
- Make it fizzy. Give your lemonade a satisfying fizz with ginger ale or flavored sparkling water like La Croix.
- Add herbs. Elderflower, thyme, basil, or ginger are all great herbs to add to your lemonade while cooking or as a garnish.
- Make it boozy. For adults only, obviously! This is so delicious on a hot day, and (pro tip!) is also incredibly easy to spike for adult picnics or seaside sit-and-sips. Bring a little limoncello, gin, or vodka on your picnic (depending on your tastes). Mix in a splash of tonic…ah, summer in a glass – heaven!
Five Easy Ways to Spice Up Your Lavender Lemonade
1. Frozen Lavender Lemonade Slush
Pour the lemonade into paper cups and place in the freezer for 2-3 hours. About an hour before serving, pull out the frozen lavender lemonade cups, and let them thaw on a countertop. Before serving, use a fork or similar utensil to break the mixture up, then pour a tablespoon or two of ginger ale over the top and garnish with blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, or other fresh fruits.
2. Lavender Lemonade Popsicles
Pour your homemade lemonade into a mold, freeze, and serve as a super-refreshing unique popsicle for refined palettes!
3. Blueberry Lavender Lemonade
Crush 1-2 cups of fresh blueberries by hand or in a food processor and add to your lavender lemonade.
4. Strawberry Lavender Lemonade
Crush 1-2 cups of strawberries by hand or in a food processor and add to your lavender lemonade.
5. Lavender Pink Hibiscus Lemonade
Add 1/2 cup of dried culinary hibiscus to your lavender lemonade recipe for the ultimate floral summer pink drink concoction!
Perfect Occasions to Serve Your Lemonade
- Serve it at a backyard kids’ tea party. Whether you’re pairing it with our vanilla-wafer “hamburger” treats or serving it alongside savory kid-made mozzarella cups, this is for a perfect afternoon tea party or special summer celebration refresher for kids.
- Put it on your summer brunch menu. What is the easiest way to add a touch of class and sophistication to a summer brunch? Add lavender lemonade to the menu! The light and aromatic qualities of lavender lemonade complement various brunch dishes, from sweet pastries to savory quiches. It’s also an excellent alcohol-free, kid-friendly drink option that accommodates a variety of palettes and preferences.
- Give it a host or hostess gift. Pour a pitcher in a quart-sized mason jar, throw on a simple tag, or tie on some lavender, and enjoy the perfect summer hosting gift!
- Pack it up for a picnic at the beach. Salty sea air really brings out the flavor of this delicious summer sipper.
- Make it a highlight of a whimsical kids’ fairy garden party. For a magical addition to a fairy garden party, present little glasses of lemonade AND separate servings of the lavender mixture. Invite kids to mix the two to make their own magical color-changing “fairy potions” to spark imaginations! Serve it in small, enchanting glass bottles or ornate cups to enhance the enchanting appeal.
Eight Ways Kids Can Help Make Lavender Lemonade
By involving kids in making lavender lemonade, you can create a fun and engaging experience that fosters their interest in cooking and helps them develop valuable skills.
Safety note: Remember to supervise children throughout the process, especially when handling sharp tools or hot liquids.
- Squeezing lemons. With adult supervision, kids can help squeeze lemons using a manual citrus juicer or simply pressing the halved lemons with their hands. This teaches them about the source of lemon juice, strengthens hand muscles for fine motor skills, and allows them to contribute to the preparation process.
- Practice measuring ingredients. Teach kids about measurements by having them measure the water, lemon juice, sugar, and lavender using measuring cups or spoons. This helps them practice their math skills while also learning about recipe proportions.
- Let little ones stir the lemonade. Allow kids to mix the lemonade using a large spoon or a whisk. This encourages them to take an active role in the process and teaches them the importance of evenly combining ingredients.
- Embrace the sensory experience: Kids can help add the culinary lavender to the lemonade, either as dried flowers or a pre-made lavender syrup, introducing them to the concept of using food-grade herbs and flowers in cooking and beverages, encouraging them to expand their sense of smell and taste in the kitchen.
- Invite kids to taste-test. Encourage children to taste the lemonade and provide input on adjustments, such as adding more sweetener or lavender. This teaches them about balancing flavors and helps them develop their palate.
- Garnishing and serving. Kids can help add garnishes like lemon slices, fresh lavender sprigs, or edible flowers to the lemonade before serving. This allows them to express their creativity and take pride in contributing to the final presentation.
- Pouring practice. Invite kids to practice their pouring skills as they mix measured ingredients or pour cooled lemonade into glasses.
- Dig into kitchen science. The color-changing aspect of this recipe is one of the most enticing reasons to make lavender lemonade with kids. Help them answer or let them research exactly why these liquids change from yellow to pink when mixed (even though lavender is…well, lavender).
For a BIG collection of more kid-friendly recipes, kitchen play activities, our favorite kids’ kitchen tools, and printable safety rule templates, visit our hands-on kitchen learning list!
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