I’m back from London, and I already miss the Queen, the polite taxi drivers, and Beefeater (the gin… and the red-coated dudes with the bear skin hats).
London is so lovely. The only problem is that I always feel like I’m doing something disastrously rude or uncouth. I don’t hold my fork and knife in the correct hands. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to clink my tea cup. Good grief, I think I just slurped my tea. Holy smokes… that’s the third time I’ve almost been hit by a car. Which way am I supposed to look down the street!?!?
I’m back in Venice where I can put my feet up on things, and slurp whatever I see fit. There’s a super hippie drum circle taking place down the road… no matter what I do, I look pretty posh in comparison.
In honor of thirst and homecomings, I’ve gussied up a pitcher of lemonade using dried lavender. It’s simple and divine. Most likely Queen and drum circle approved.
Lemons into lemonade.
Lavender into lemonade instead of a sachet.
My parents got this juicer as a wedding gift in 1979. Much like my parents, it’s never allowed to die.
Lavender is steeped in a mixture of warm water, sugar and honey.
The slightly brown color behind the dried lavender buds is natural sugar dissolved in water. Honey adds to the color.
This mixture is super fragrant. Spa and nap inspiring.
Let’s play find the kitten nose.
This lavender lemonade is totally going to be a summer staple. Topped with a bit of unsweetened iced tea… it’s just perfect.
Everyone likes their lemonade to taste different. Some like it sweet. Some like it tart. This version leans towards the sweeter side. Feel free to adjust as you find necessary.
Lavender Lemonade
makes about 8 cups
2 cups water
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup honey
3 heaping tablespoons dried culinary lavender
2 cups fresh lemon juice
4 cups water (plus more to your taste)
In a medium pot over medium heat, combine 2 cups water, and sugar. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Stir in honey and lavender. Cover and let steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain out lavender and press buds into the bottom of the strainer to release any syrup left behind.
In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice, lavender syrup, and water. Stir and chill. Serve cold, over ice.
Lucy
:O I thought I was the only person who used their fork and knife in the wrong hands! How glad I am that I’m not. This looks gorgeous!
Sarah at Winner Celebration Party
I’m not a huge lavender person (something about things that taste like soap/perfume), but I LOVE that photo with the straws and twine. Also, being a Venice resident myself, I have to say it’s a special corner of the world. Have you seen the episode of New Girl where Schmidt decides to undo his normally anal-retentive self and joins the Venice drum circle? Classic.
I have this memory of showing up in London and not knowing how to get into the cab (if I recall correctly, the door was in the back, not the front….is that right?? I need confirmation.). Felt like a fool but then fell in love with the city.
Welcome back!!
Beth
I have the exact same juicer, which used to be my grandmother’s! She got it on a vacation to Florida with my grandfather. She gave it to me when she decided to move out of her house, and it’s still awesome. Glad to know there’s another one out there!
Rita D
I’ve been dying to bake this lavender and lemon combo in to a pound cake. Maybe this will tide me over until I can find the time.
Oh and I totally didn’t even see the kitten nose until you pointed it out!
Jessie
Lavender is my new favorite ingredient. I’m sure it’s absolutely refreshingly wonderful in lemonade. Hope London was a blast!
Jessie
Yum! We served a variation of this at our wedding last year! There was plenty of lavender in the floral arrangements and Provence inspired decor. :)
dawnb
Oh honey, even us English girls worry about slurping and getting out cutlery messed up, as long as we all do it with a smile, it is all fine ;)
ileana
So pretty! Count me in for adding vodka.
Priya
Mmmmm looks good! I can’t believe you were actually and finally in the same country as me and I did not get to meet you! I feel like I totes missed out with your American book tour…. Please come back!
PS missed you and Tracy on Thursday when I usually listen to you….
Amielle
The first thing I ever added lavender to was cupcakes and it was absolutely delicious. This sounds like the perfect second thing to try . Not to mention the fact that lemonade is a summer staple and I can’t wait to change it up a bit. :)
Stacy
Add vodka?
Margarita
Ah… Summer! I love lavenders… I have a big bouquet of dried ones lying on my kitchen counter and I just sniff it whenever I feel sad and it helps change my mood. This maybe a silly question, but ove never used lavender in food and drinks so i wonder, is culinary lavender the same exact ones as the flowers of the dried ones?
Shannon
I loveee lavender lemonade. I recently decided that basil lemonade is my new summer jam too.
Eliz. K
Oh this is lovely! A perfect, fun, summery drink! (And perfect for a pregnant mama who is looking for some tasty things to imbibe while making a baby for the first half of the summer!) Thank you for sharing!
PS, I’m quite jealous of your travels!
Kartik @ Bakeology 101
Wow. I’m really impressed. Is the lavender flavor strong in this lemonade? Sometimes I find fresh lavender quite overpowering and I’m not sure, but is the dried far more mellow?