Pink Lavender Lemonade

If you are wondering about the Strawberries and Lavender picture, that was taken when I was making Pink Lavender Lemonade for a Cooking Club night a while back.  It is a drink that is just what I like, not too sweet, with an interesting twist by having the aromatic flavour of lavender.  The recipe is below, enjoy!

Pink Lavender Lemonade

from the book “Lemonade” by Fred Thompson

4 ½ cups cold water
1 Tb dried flowers
1 ½ to 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar, depending on the sweetness of the strawberries
10 fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (10-12 lemons)
Sliced strawberries or lemon for garnish (optional)

1. Place 2 cups of the water, the lavender, sugar and strawberries in a medium-size saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes. Cover, remove from the heat, and let steep for 10 minutes.

2. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a 2-quart container. Stir in the lemon juice and remaining 2 ½ cups water.

3. Chill until very cold. Serve over ice, garnished with sliced strawberries or lemon.

I mixed this with Soda Water since it was quite strong, it makes it go further as well. I think it’s important that it is very chilled – a lovely sipping drink!