Lilac Syrup

Love Live Spring!!

Lilacs syrup …ah, lilacs.  I don’t know about you, but certain smells bring me right back to my youth.  And the scent of lilacs sparks one of my favourite strolls down memory lane…

As a kid, I had a big, beautiful lilac tree outside my bedroom window.  An awesome old house with no air conditioning meant a steady stream of lilac in the air…and while Lilac Season is fleeting, I’m trying to make the most of it with a scattering of little purple gems throughout the house and this simple Lilac Syrup.

How to make Lilac Syrup:

• Make a simple syrup by bringing 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

• Add 1 cup lilac florets and simmer for 5 minutes more.  Pass through a fine-mesh strainer and set aside to cool.

• Store in refrigerator for about a month.

How to use Lilac Syrup:

• Add to a spritzer (alcoholic or not!)

• Mix into a tart lemonade

• Spoon over vanilla bean ice cream

• Drizzle over a fresh berry tart or pie

Tips and Tricks for a delicious Lilac Syrup:

• For a more intense lilac flavour, let florets steep in the simple syrup for up to 10 minutes.

• For a more vibrant colour, add up to 1/4 cup blueberries when adding florets to simple syrup.

• Be careful not to add any of the tiny green stems from the lilac or the syrup will be bitter.