Lavender lemonade recipe

Falling in love with lavender

Lavender is adored all around the world. Prized for its gorgeous purple colour, enchanting scent, and wealth of health benefits, it’s one of the best-known therapeutic plants. And the admiration for it is nothing new. Thousands of years ago, ancient Egyptians used lavender as a perfume during the mummification process. It’s even said that when archaeologists opened Tutankhamun’s tomb, it contained traces of the flower that were still fragrant.(1) Lavender continued to be a favourite among royalty throughout history. Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth I, and King Charles VI of France are all believed to have been staunch fans. The word itself comes from the Latin ‘lavare’ – meaning ‘to wash’ – and ancient Romans would add lavender to herbal baths. In addition to appreciating its delicate floral scent, people have used the plant for medicinal purposes for centuries. As an example, in 16th century Europe, it was common to wear lavender in order to ward off the plague.(2) Everyone from doctors to grave-robbers would douse themselves in it! Medics even utilised lavender during World War I to treat wounds on the battlefield.(3) Over the years, the popularity of the herb has continued to increase. Although native to the Mediterranean and Middle East, it’s now cultivated all across the world. The plant is versatile enough to use in everything from recipes like lavender lemonade to daily skincare routines. Its fragrant and relaxing aroma also makes it perfect for scenting laundry products and cosmetics. Plus, lavender has all sorts of amazing benefits to offer. So, let’s explore them!

To sleep perchance to dream

These days, one of the most widely recognised advantages of lavender is as a sleep aid. Studies show that inhaling the plant’s relaxing aroma can have a positive impact on the quality of our sleep.(4) This means it could be a natural and effective alternative to medication for those with sleep disturbances. Sleep is absolutely crucial for our wellbeing, so we can’t overstate the value of this. If you don’t get enough shuteye, you’re at a greater risk of everything from obesity to heart disease.(5)(6) Sleep also boosts our immune system, and helps to prevent mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.(7)(8) Plus, being well-rested ensures that our powers of memory, concentration and cognition are able to function at their best.(9) Yet unfortunately, far too many of us struggle to drift off at night.(10) Although not a magic cure, lavender can help to calm the mind and reduce feelings of stress. This makes it easier for us to nod off. Not only that, but lavender additionally appears to increase the amount of slow-wave sleep we get.(11) Also known as deep sleep, this is particularly important for our brain and body to rest, recover and repair. So next time you can’t sleep, try a soothing lavender lemonade, or spritz some lavender water on your pillow. It might just do the trick and enable you to catch some z’s! 

Other health benefits of lavender

Lavender’s calming effect on the mind does more than merely help us sleep. It can also tackle feelings of anxiety, stress or nervousness in our waking lives. Studies suggest that lavender can be as effective as medication for those who are suffering from anxiety disorders.(12) Research also indicates that the herb has a positive impact on people in anxiety-inducing situations, like going to the dentist.(13) This makes lavender lemonade a superb choice when you’ve got a big presentation at work or in similar nerve-wracking circumstances! Evidence also suggests that lavender can be beneficial for our skin. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, it may be effective at treating acne. Likewise, because it’s antifungal and antimicrobial, it could help to tackle conditions such as eczema.(14) Lavender is additionally rich in antioxidants, which fight cell damage caused by free radicals. This could potentially help to protect your skin from premature ageing and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Of course, to achieve these results you need to apply lavender water topically, rather than drinking it in lavender lemonade. Looking at skin injuries, studies have found that lavender may assist in both healing wounds and reducing scarring.(15) However, further research needs to be conducted to clarify this. As a bonus, you can also use lavender as a natural way to repel mosquitoes and relieve insect bites.(16) Perfect for balmy summer evenings when you want to enjoy a glass or two of lavender lemonade in the garden!

An elegant treat: introducing our lavender lemonade recipe

When you hear the word lemonade, your first thought may well be of an overly sugary drink for kids. However, when you make it at home, you can transform lemonade into a far more refined and wellness-boosting beverage. And one of the best ways to do so is with our lavender lemonade recipe. Let’s start with the basics of how to make lavender lemonade. It’s actually really simple. To begin with, mix together the lemon juice, sweetener and lavender water. You’ll see that we've suggested between six and eight teaspoons of lavender water in the recipe. This gives you the flexibility to adjust the strength of flavour in the finished drink. We've also recommended that you use the juice from four lemons. However, you can always add more if your lemons are not very juicy, or you prefer a stronger taste. Another possibility is to include a hint of yuzu, orange or lime for a deeper and more nuanced citrus flavour. When it comes to sweetener, we’ve given you the choice of either raw honey or agave nectar. Maple syrup is also a good option, or you can use a combination. Feel free to experiment and see which version you like the most! Give the mix a stir until the sweetener has dissolved, then add the water, ice cubes and lemon slices. We recommend using filtered water for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it’s healthier because you’re removing possible contaminants from the water. Secondly, it tastes cleaner and fresher, ensuring that your lavender lemonade is even more delicious! Once you’ve added those remaining ingredients, give the drink another good stir. This will ensure an even distribution of flavour and balanced consistency. Then all that’s left to do is garnish and serve!

All about our organic lavender water

The star of this lavender lemonade recipe is, of course, our Organic Lavender Water. We source our lavender from small farms in the Provence region of France. The plant has been a key crop here for centuries. Every year, the beauty of the fields transforms them into a tourist attraction, as the flowers paint the countryside in breathtaking hues of violet. The lavender is hand-picked by our farmers, and then steam distilled to make the lavender water. We use about 1kg of fresh lavender to produce a litre of lavender water, and none of it is wasted. Plus, of course, we don’t use any preservatives or additives – it’s all 100% pure lavender water. Once ready, we ship out the water to you in environmentally friendly amber glass bottles. You can then reuse or recycle these once they’re empty. Here at Erbology, we love reusing them if possible – that way you're able to enjoy the lavender scent for longer! Our lavender water has a beautifully delicate floral aroma and taste, making it perfect for whipping up some lavender lemonade. Not only that, it’s also high in several powerful nutrients. These include phenolic compounds, which help to protect your cells from oxidative damage. Plus, it’s wonderfully soothing, with a calming influence on both the body and the mind. 

How is lavender water different from a lavender essential oil?

Our lavender water is a hydrosol, and contains 0.6 to 0.8g/l of essential oil. This makes it less concentrated than a lavender essential oil. As such, both the scent and taste are more subtle. It also means that – unlike essential oils – you’re able to apply our lavender water directly to your skin without dilution. The other big difference is that a lavender hydrosol is soluble in water, whereas essential oils are not. This is vital when it comes to making lavender lemonade. Firstly, that’s because the jury’s still out on the amount of essential oil you can safely consume in drinks. Secondly, because oil doesn’t dissolve in water, it would simply remain floating on top of the drink. This would not only look unappealing, it would prevent it from flavouring your lavender lemonade properly. Overall, while lavender essential oils are great for diffusers, you definitely want a water when mixing up lavender lemonade.

Beyond lavender lemonade: other uses for lavender water

Lavender water tastes amazing in lemonade, but that’s far from the only way you can harness its benefits! For example, add your favourite spirit to the mix and relax in the evening with a lavender lemonade cocktail. Vodka, gin, and white or gold rum all make great choices. Alternatively, when it’s cold, add lavender water to a cup of tea or hot chocolate for an extra-comforting beverage. Can’t sleep and need a quick fix? Stir a tablespoon of it into a glass of water to create a simple yet relaxing bedtime drink. It's not only drinks you’re able to use lavender water in. If you enjoy baking, try adding it to dessert recipes for a gorgeous floral taste. From cakes and cookies to jellies and ice cream, lavender can work in pretty much anything! In terms of flavours, as well as citrus, lavender pairs beautifully with berries, honey and chocolate. As mentioned above, lavender water also makes a fantastic addition to your skincare routine. We recommend using it as a delicate and soothing toner to hydrate and firm up your complexion. The best way to do this is by transferring the lavender water to a spray bottle. Then you can spritz it on your face or body after moisturising to leave your skin gorgeously scented and glowing! Finally, a quick burst of lavender water on your pillow at bedtime can help lull you into a blissful slumber. 

Delicious ways to enjoy our lavender lemonade

Returning to our lavender lemonade recipe, once you’ve made your pitcher, we recommend serving it with an eye-catching garnish. In addition to lemon slices, you can use dried lavender buds or flowers for this. As well as hinting at the flavour, these add a splash of purple to the glass that contrasts enchantingly with the yellow of the lemonade. Plus, they bring a whimsical countryside charm to the drink that we just love! Once you’ve mastered the standard lavender lemonade, you can also start to customise the recipe. For instance, you might like to add other ingredients in order to make the flavour more complex. Some of our favourites include strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry lavender lemonade. Mint is also a good choice, perhaps because lavender is part of the same botanical family. However you serve it, lavender lemonade is a wonderfully refreshing drink on a warm spring or summer’s day. Try mixing up a big, ice-cold pitcher for a family picnic or a barbeque with friends. Remember, you can always adjust the amount of sweetener you use to make the drink more or less sharp. Extra agave nectar works great for kids, whereas grown-ups might prefer a tangier citrus kick. To be honest, we love enjoying a glass of lavender lemonade no matter what the weather’s doing. The relaxing scent of the lavender makes it a perfect sweet drink for when the nights draw in as well. Whenever you’re indulging, be sure to make plenty of it – one cup is almost never enough!