Lilac Syrup with a delicate botanical flavour is an excellent addition for recipes in place of regular simple syrup.
Lilac Syrup
Hello everyone! I hope you are doing well. Happy unofficial start of summer, too!
I am super excited today. Why? I am sharing this wonderful Lilac Syrup with you. That’s correct: lilac flowers are absolutely edible.
You probably know I am a huge fan of floral flavours. For instance, last year I shared with you this Rose Syrup and Rose Petal Jam. Also, you can check this Dandelion Honey. In the past, I posted many lavender ideas, too (Yes, I’ve got to catch up with lavender!) If you love botanical flavours, this syrup will be your cup of tea.
How to Make Lilac Syrup?
It’s super easy. Collect flowers that are in full bloom, far from roads. If you are lucky to have a lilac bush in your backyard, make sure you don’t use dangerous pesticides. You will need only lilac florets. Remove all green parts (leaves and steams) as they could make your syrup bitter. The ratio is simple: one cup of tightly packed petals to one cup of sugar to one cup of water.
Next, bring to a boil, simmer for a while, and off heat. Let the syrup steep to infuse then discard the flowers. The more you steep the syrup, the more aromatic it’s going to be. However, I wouldn’t recommend doing that for long as it could develop too strong, almost artificial flavour, like soap. So my advice would be sampling a little of the syrup every 15-20 minutes to check if you’re satisfied with it.
The beautiful colour comes from blueberries. You will need 3 to 4 berries. That’s optional, but the natural colour would be brownish / yellowish.
How to Keep Lilac Syrup?
Keep it refrigerated for up to few weeks in an airtight container. To make it keep longer, you have to use sterilized cans.
How to Use Lilac Syrup?
So many ways to use it!
Think of fancy cocktails, refreshing lemonades, or over your ice cream. Enjoy with pancakes, crepes, and French toasts. Besides, it would be great as a part of desserts, soak cake, topping for your oatmeal, and a dressing for your fruit salads. Let me think any other ways. And stay tuned as I am going to share some fabulous ideas soon.
I hope you like this recipe. If you still have some blooming lilacs where you live, please make it ASAP! We will learn some lovely ways to use it. If you make it, let me know in this post or send me an Instagram message or share you photos adding the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.
Cheers for now.
Lilac Syrup
Course: Dessert1
cup15
minutes10
minutes30-60
minutesLilac Syrup with a delicate botanical flavour is an excellent addition for recipes in place of regular simple syrup.
Ingredients
2 loosely or 1 tightly packed cup lilac florets
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
3-4 blueberries (optional, for colour)
Directions
- Remove the florets that are in full bloom from the bunch. You will need about 5-6 small brunches. Make sure to also remove the tiny green stems and leaves since they can make your syrup bitter. Do not rinse them under water – just make sure there are no any bugs.
- In a saucepan combine the water with sugar and bring to a boil, whisking until the sugar is dissolved.
- Decrease heat. Stir in the lilac florets (and blueberries if using – they will give the colour), cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
- Off heat. Let it stay for about 30 minutes or longer. While it cools and steeps, it infuses the syrup with more flavour. Keep in mind that steeping for a long time might result in too strong (soap-like) taste. I would recommend sampling a little of it every 15-20 minutes to see if you’re satisficed with the flavour.
- Once you’re happy with the flavour, pour the syrup through a mesh strainer and gently push the florets with a spoon, to get as much of the taste as possible.
- Transfer it to air-tight container and keep refrigerated for up to two weeks. If you want to keep it longer, bottle it in sterilized jars. Enjoy!
Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.
I have never had the pleasure of tasting lilac syrup before…it is pure heaven. I made a cocktail with the syrup, flavoured my kombucha with the syrup and also made your delicious lilac shortbread recipe. I can’t get enough. Thank you for raising my tastebud experience to a super high level. ?
Im so impressed with your flower creations. All of these items I usually I saw in my backyard now has a purpose
This is such a stunning cocktail that I’m certain is equally as delicious. All of the photos are beautiful!
Thank you Valentina!
That is so interesting. I do love the scent of lilac. I wouldn’t have guessed that the color of you syrup comes from blueberries! It’s such a nice match for the lilac. I’m so glad, though, that you colored it in such a natural and complementary way.
Yeah, and I was surprised that just a few berries introduce that intense colour!
I’m embarrassed to admit that I only recently learned that lilacs are edible. And here you’ve made this gorgeous syrup! What an exotic / romantic way to sweeten things up. Such a great idea to add blueberries for added color and flavor depth.
Thank you Marissa!
Such a beautiful syrup, Ben! I need to try this — and get my hands on some lilac!
Thank you Michelle!
Ain’t it just gorgeous! I simply adore the colour, Ben. Well done!
angiesrecipes recently posted…Greek Wings With Feta, Lemon and Dill
Thank you Angie!
I don’t have dandelions, but I do have lilacs! What a gorgeous syrup—love how you added blueberries for a boost of color!
Thank you Liz!
I make a lot of flavored simple syrups, but haven’t made a lilac one. And I have a lilac bush! What am I waiting for? :-) Nice recipe — thannks.
John / Kitchen Riffs recently posted…The Lucien Gaudin Cocktail
Ooo lucky you! Do not hesitate and give it a try then! I am positive you would be able to use it for another fancy cocktail (or mocktail). Spoiler alert: I already did :)
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Lilac Syrup