Lavender Flower and Vanilla Simple Syrup

Hi Bakers,

It tasted like soap the first time I made lavender syrup…but I wasn’t about to be defeated. So I went back into the kitchen and tweaked the recipe. Now, I adore it. My Lavender Flower and Vanilla Simple Syrup is finally delicious enough to share! Floral with warm vanilla notes and a pretty teal (thanks to the tea) color too. This syrup has all the bright, complex, and fruity flavors you want in a lavender flavoring. The recipe is easy too. Here is how I made mine. I hope you want to try it. I included instructions on how I made my latte below in case you are interested.

Lavender Flower and Vanilla Simple Syrup

1 tablespoon fresh lavender flowers* 

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup water

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender

1 tablespoon of pea flower tea (soaked in 2 tablespoons of hot water for 3 minutes)

Boil the fresh lavender, sugar, and water until the sugar dissolves and the liquid thickens to a thin syrup consistency. Add the vanilla, pea flower tea, and dried lavender. Bring to a boil. Taste the syrup, If you want more flavor, add a bit more dried lavender and bring to a boil cooking until the syrup thickens. Remove from the heat. Strain into a jar and add a few drops of red food coloring to change the color if desired. Use for iced tea, lattes or to drizzle on fresh berries. 

* One tablespoon is about three small sprigs worth. Make sure the flowers are unsprayed and washed.

**Here I made an iced Lavender Flower and Vanilla Latte by adding 2 tablespoons of Lavender syrup to the bottom of a tall glass and filling it with ice. Pour 1 cup of espresso or coffee or ice. Top with cream or milk of your choice. Drizzle a bit more of the lavender syrup on top and garnish with a few fresh lavender sprigs. I put some dried lavender on top too but then I kept biting them and they were really strong flavored, so next time I won’t do that.