Beat the Heat
June 13, 2008
“Hot. So very hot.” These words, or some variation of them, echo through my head at least a dozen times a day now. Interspersed among them are a sundry of other fleeting thoughts, most prevalent among them being, “is it lunchtime yet?” You see, laboring as I do outside so much of the day in my horticulture work, I tend to quickly get a little parched and hungry. Concocting refreshing icy beverages has become a priority.
This desperation for refreshment brings us to a second lavender recipe in a row (dare I tell you there’s soon to be a third? I can’t help myself). Lavender Lemon Soda is the ideal remedy for a sweaty brow. It is downright cleansing with its effervescent flavors. I have been intrigued by herbal sodas since last summer when I had one at a local café, but I surprised even myself with how tasty this particular combination turned out to be.
Herbal sodas are quite simple actually. Almost any herb can be used to make an infused simple syrup that then goes on to flavor some form of bubbly (seltzer, tonic water, ginger ale, and so forth). I’m anticipating coming up with several other combinations using the herbs in my tea garden. What do you think would make a good herbal soda combination? How does borage, which has a cucumber-like flavor, and grapefruit mint sound? Chamomile and lemon balm? And let’s not forget the option to add some spirits to the mix with tasty tipples like vanilla vodka and anise hyssop.
Bring on the heat! I’ve got a great way to chill!
(oh, and did I mention it’s sugar free?)
Lavender Lemon Soda
A Straight from the Farm Original
1 C. water
1 C. Splenda (or sugar)
2 T. fresh lavender florets
1 C. fresh squeezed lemon juice
Seltzer water
Ice
In a small saucepan, combine water, Splenda, and lavender. Bring to a simmer over gentle heat. Remove from stove and let steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain and chill until ready to use.
To make the soda, combine a ¼ cup of lavender syrup with a ¼ cup lemon juice over ice in a pint glass. Fill the glass with seltzer water and serve immediately.
(serves 4)
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1. fallenangel65 | June 13, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Very nice! I have been buying a lot of Hint water or Metro Mint and then I started thinking…really…2-3 dollars for a 16oz bottle of water? Can’t I infuse water with mint, citrus or other essesence in the privacy of own fridge? You just proved to me I can!
2. flutter | June 13, 2008 at 10:15 pm
absolutely gorgeous
3. Mary | June 14, 2008 at 9:58 am
This sounds like a lovely drink for a hot summer day!
4. Sarah | June 15, 2008 at 7:51 pm
How refreshing! I will give this recipe a try this week–can’t wait! As for new flavors, how about something with sage in it?
5. Relaxed and Refined &laqu&hellip | June 16, 2008 at 11:20 am
[...] putting my lavender plants to work already this summer. First a lavender-infused vinegar, then a bubbly lavender lemonade, and now lavender scented ice cream! I’m running to catch up to the bandwagon here, flagging it [...]
6. Sarah | June 16, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Yay! Thanks so much, now I know what to do with my lavender!
7. A Vanilla Rose « St&hellip | June 30, 2008 at 4:29 pm
[...] by my success with the Lavender Lemon Soda recipe, I thought I’d try another simple syrup infused with a fresh herb that would add a little [...]
8. Lovin’ Fresh: Laven&hellip | July 7, 2008 at 5:09 pm
[...] really putting my lavender plants to work already this summer. First a bubbly lavender lemonade, and now lavender scented ice cream! I’m running to catch up to the bandwagon here, flagging it [...]
9. roseyrebecca | June 21, 2009 at 7:38 am
Wow. That looks amazing!