Lavender Lemonade

Recipe and photo by Anna Marie Beauchemin, East Bay Herbals

Served over ice, this calming floral elixir is one of my favorite seasonal refreshers and the perfect beverage for winding down at the end of a warm summer day. The tart bite of the lemon pairs well with the floral notes of the lavender, creating a drink that is refreshing to the taste buds yet soothing to the mind. Lavender has long been revered for its medicinal properties and has traditionally been used as a natural remedy to help ease stress, tension, and anxiety.

1–2 tablespoons organic lavender flowers, fresh or dried
½ cup raw honey
1½ cups water
1½ cups fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2–3 cups chilled water, sparkling or still

Combine lavender flowers and honey in a 1-quart mason jar. Add 1½ cups boiling water and stir to dissolve the honey. Cover and let sit for 30 minutes. Strain out and compost the lavender flowers. To this honey/lavender simple syrup, add fresh-squeezed lemon juice and let the mixture cool completely. Cover and chill overnight. Before serving, pour the concoction over ice and dilute with sparkling or still water (as you prefer) to desired strength. Sip slowly and melt into bliss.