How To Make A Lavender Simple Syrup

A lavender simple syrup is an easy way to bring a delicate floral flavor into your favorite drinks and desserts.
 
You only need three basic ingredients and about twenty minutes of your time to make it at home.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to make a lavender simple syrup that tastes smooth instead of soapy, the trick is all in the steeping time and the type of lavender you use.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make a lavender simple syrup step by step, plus a few tasty ways to use it once it’s ready.
 
Let’s get started.
 

How to Make a Lavender Simple Syrup at Home

Learning how to make lavender simple syrup comes down to one simple ratio: equal parts sugar and water, plus a small scoop of dried lavender buds.
 
Here’s how to do it.
 

1. Gather Your Ingredients

To make a lavender simple syrup, you’ll need one cup of granulated sugar, one cup of water, and about one to two tablespoons of dried culinary lavender buds.
 
Make sure you’re using food-grade lavender and not the decorative kind from a craft store.
 
Culinary lavender is grown for cooking, so it has a cleaner, sweeter flavor.
 

2. Combine Sugar and Water

Add your sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat.
 
Stir gently until the sugar fully dissolves.
 
You don’t need to boil it hard; a gentle simmer is all it takes to make a lavender simple syrup with a smooth texture.
 

3. Add the Lavender Buds

Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in your dried lavender buds.
 
This is the most important step when you make a lavender simple syrup, because steeping off the heat keeps the flavor floral instead of bitter.
 

4. Let It Steep

Cover the pan and let the buds steep for about twenty to thirty minutes.
 
The longer you steep, the stronger your lavender simple syrup will taste.
 
If you’re new to making a lavender simple syrup, start with twenty minutes and adjust next time.
 

5. Strain and Store

Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a clean jar or bottle.
 
Press gently on the buds to release extra flavor, then discard them.
 
Your homemade lavender simple syrup will keep in the fridge for up to two weeks.
 

Tips for the Best Lavender Simple Syrup

A great lavender simple syrup is all about balance, so keep these pointers in mind.
 

1. Don’t Over-Steep

Going past thirty minutes can turn your lavender simple syrup bitter and soapy.
 
Set a timer so your batch of lavender simple syrup stays fresh and floral.
 

2. Use Dried Buds, Not Fresh

Dried lavender gives a more consistent lavender simple syrup because fresh buds hold extra moisture and oils.
 
If you only have fresh lavender, use half the amount when you make a lavender simple syrup.
 

3. Taste as You Go

Every batch of lavender simple syrup tastes a little different depending on the buds.
 
Sip a spoonful before bottling so you know your lavender simple syrup is where you want it.
 

4. Add a Squeeze of Lemon

A teaspoon of lemon juice brightens the flavor and helps your lavender simple syrup keep its pretty color.
 
It’s a small tweak, but it makes a big difference in a lavender simple syrup.
 

Ways to Use Your Lavender Simple Syrup

Once you know how to make a lavender simple syrup, you’ll find plenty of ways to enjoy it.
 

1. Cocktails and Mocktails

A splash of lavender simple syrup turns a gin and tonic or a glass of lemonade into something special.
 
It also works beautifully in a lavender martini or a sparkling water mocktail.
 

2. Coffee and Tea

Stir a spoonful of lavender simple syrup into your latte, cold brew, or iced tea for a floral twist.
 
A lavender simple syrup is a lovely swap for plain sugar in your morning cup.
 

3. Desserts and Baked Goods

Drizzle lavender simple syrup over cakes, pancakes, or fruit salads.
 
You can also brush it onto sponge cakes to keep them moist while adding a hint of lavender.
 

4. Homemade Sodas

Mix your lavender simple syrup with sparkling water and a little lime for a refreshing homemade soda.
 
It’s one of the simplest ways to enjoy the lavender simple syrup you made.
 

So, How Do You Make a Lavender Simple Syrup?

You make a lavender simple syrup by dissolving equal parts sugar and water, steeping dried culinary lavender off the heat, then straining and storing it in the fridge.
 
With just three ingredients and about twenty minutes, you can whip up a batch of lavender simple syrup whenever you like.
 
Once you’ve nailed how to make a lavender simple syrup, feel free to play with the steeping time and sweetness to match your taste.
 
So go ahead and make a lavender simple syrup this week, and enjoy that soft floral flavor in everything from cocktails to coffee.