This lilac simple syrup is a sweet and gorgeously floral beverage and desert flavoring that is perfect for lattes, teas, lemonade, cocktails and more! This syrup recipe is particularly great for flower lovers, because it calls for the very seasonal and prized lilac flowers, which are easily identifiable and often grown organically.
What a gift it is when sunny days emerge and the smell of lilacs is in the air. Lilacs are one of my favourite flowers. Lilacs can provide gorgeous color and sweet floral fragrance from April through June. I wish I could authentically bottle up the scent of lilac petals and enjoy them all year long. The flowers are oil-free, making their essence impossible to distill. So how does one capture their fleeting ethereal scent? While we haven't figured this out yet, we do preserve the blooms in flavor to be in enjoyed in tea or lemonade via: lilac honey, lilac sugar, and lilac syrup. You can also enjoy lilacs in our Lilac Shortbread Cookies and Lilac Ice cream.
ARE LILACS EDIBLE?
Lilacs are totally edible, part of the olive family. Frolic and fare has an entire category dedicated to lilac recipes. And we have some favorite ways to enjoy them. If you have the opportunity, spend a very beautiful day hand-plucking each individual flower off their stem. It's transformative.
IDENTIFYING AND HARVESTING LILAC:
Lilac has glossy, heart-shaped leaves, smooth bark. It displays spikes of densely packed, small, pale flowers that have a sweet smell. (Source) You want to be using lilacs grown organically. Read my post on the best edible flowers to grow in your garden. If it's grown on your property and hasn't been sprayed with pesticides, it's safe to use. Avoid lilac that you're uncertain about, or purchased from the grocery store. Read all about Where to buy or find edible flowers for cookies and cakes to learn about best practices for sourcing flowers you'll use in food.
HOW TO SOURCE LILAC:
You want to be using lilacs grown organically. Read my post on the best edible flowers to grow in your garden. If it's grown on your property and hasn't been sprayed with pesticides, it's safe to use. Avoid lilac that you're uncertain about, or purchased from the grocery store. Read all about Where to buy or find edible flowers for cookies and cakes to learn about best practices for sourcing flowers you'll use in food.
WHAT IS SIMPLE SYRUP?
Simple syrup is generally found in two strengths: Equal parts sugar and water, the most common strength in U.S. bars, is referred to as “one-to-one” (1:1). Two parts sugar to one part water is, as you might guess, referred to as 2:1, which is the standard syrup in U.K. bars; in the States, you’ll often hear 2:1 syrup being referred to as “rich simple syrup.”
INGREDIENTS:
- Fresh lilac
- Raw honey (any honey of choice will do)
- Water
- Sugar (you can use all honey instead if preferred!)
HOW TO MAKE THIS SYRUP:
This 1:1 ratio is so simple, all it requires is boiling 1 cup of water with 1 cup of sugar + adding in your lavender and honey.
if using fresh lilac: use ½ cup
if using dried lilac: use ⅓ cup
WHICH HONEY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE:
Honey is a liquid treasure trove of flavors and colors. It has been found that bees make honey from flowers near their hives, like orange trees or wildflowers in nature- which gives its honey a different flavors, and that distinctive and their unique taste! Any non crystallized honey will work fine in this recipe. But, for additional depth of floral flavor we recommend using our lilac infused honey.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS SYRUP:
Can I add this syrup to coffee?
Lilac yrup is beautiful in a strong espresso with rich cream. Simply add a tiny bit of syrup and see if it suits your taste buds. Add more as desired. Visit our lavender latte recipe or lavender iced coffee recipe for inspiration, just swap lavender syrup for lilac!
How long does simple syrup last for?
Sugar is used in cooking as a preservative— think jams and jellies, which are also called preserves. So simple syrups have a decent shelf life, when prepared and stored properly: made with very hot water and stored in a sterile container in the refrigerator. A 1:1 simple syrup like this one lasts only one month when refrigerated.
How do you store simple syrup?
The recommended way to store simple syrup is to use an airtight container that's been sterilized.
Lilac Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup fresh lilac OR ⅓ cup dried lilac
- 1 tablespoon honey or lilac honey
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium/high heat, heat the water, sugar, and lilac petals until it comes to a simmer.
Stir to dissolve the sugar and continue simmering gently for 5 minutes, reduce heat and let simmer on low for an additional 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and let the liquid cool.
Lastly, strain into a jar (with an airtight lid)
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