If you’re looking for a unique way to infuse floral and citrus flavors into your beverages and baked goods, this lilac simple syrup recipe with a twist of lemon peel is perfect for you. Ideal for cocktails, mocktails, baking, and even lemonade, this syrup will add a fragrant and delicious touch to your culinary creations.
Table of Contents
- Why Make Lilac Simple Syrup?
- Ingredients for Lilac Simple Syrup
- How to Make Lilac Simple Syrup
- My Favour Ways to Use Lilac Simple Syrup
- Love Making Homemade Simple Syrups? Try These!
- Recipe Recap
- Connect with Me
Why Make Lilac Simple Syrup?
Lilac simple syrup is a delightful way to capture the essence of spring in a bottle. The floral notes of lilac pair beautifully with citrus, making it a versatile ingredient for various uses. For this recipe, I added some lemon peel to the mix, which really enhances the flavor profile, creating a more complex and refreshing syrup with bright flavors.
Ingredients for Lilac Simple Syrup
- 2 cups fresh lilac florets (ensure they are pesticide-free)
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- Peel of one lemon (use a vegetable peeler for thin strips)
- Optional: a few blueberries for natural coloring
How to Make Lilac Simple Syrup
- Prepare the Lilacs: Gather fresh lilac florets and remove them from the stems, avoiding any green parts which can cause bitterness. Rinse them gently under cold water to remove any debris or insects.
- Make the Simple Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Add Lilacs and Lemon Peel: Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the pan from heat and add the lilac florets and lemon peel. Stir gently to ensure the flowers and peel are fully submerged in the syrup.
- Infuse the Syrup: Cover the saucepan and let the mixture steep for at least 2-3 hours, or until it reaches your desired level of flavor. For a stronger infusion, you can let it steep overnight in the refrigerator.
- Strain the Syrup: After steeping, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl to remove the lilac florets and lemon peel. Press the flowers gently to extract as much syrup as possible.
- Store the Syrup: Pour the strained syrup into a sterilized glass jar or bottle with a tight-sealing lid. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will keep for about 3-4 weeks.
My Favour Ways to Use Lilac Simple Syrup
- Cocktails and Mocktails: Use lilac syrup in place of regular simple syrup in your favorite cocktails and mocktails. It pairs especially well with gin, vodka, and sparkling water.
- Baking: Brush the syrup over cakes or cupcakes to add moisture and a subtle floral note. It’s particularly delightful in vanilla or lemon-flavored desserts.
- Lemonade: Make a refreshing lilac lemonade by mixing the syrup with fresh lemon juice and water. Adjust the sweetness to your taste.
- Pancakes and Waffles: Drizzle over pancakes, waffles, or French toast for a unique breakfast treat.
- Ice Cream and Yogurt: Use as a topping for vanilla ice cream or stir into plain yogurt for a floral twist.
Love Making Homemade Simple Syrups? Try These!
- Blueberry Simple Syrup
- Jalapeño Mint Simple Syrup
- Peach Simple Syrup
- Cranberry Simple Syrup
- Cinnamon Simple Syrup
Recipe Recap
I love making homemade simple syrup and I have tested numerous floral syrups. I can attest to the exceptional flavor profile of this lilac simple syrup with lemon peel. The addition of lemon not only enhances the taste but also balances the floral notes, making it a versatile ingredient to use in so many spring and summer recipes. My simple recipe outlined ensures maximum flavor extraction while maintaining the delicate nature of the lilac blossoms.
Lilac and Lemon Simple Syrup
Here's how to make a unique lilac simple syrup with lemon peel to elevate your cocktails, mocktails, and baked goods. This easy recipe captures the essence of spring and adds a delightful floral-citrus flavor to your favorite recipes.
Ingredients
- 2-4 cups fresh lilac florets, depending how fragrant you want it
- 1 cups sugar
- 1 cups water
Instructions
- Gather fresh lilac florets and remove them from the stems, avoiding any green parts which can cause bitterness. Rinse them gently under cold water to remove any debris or insects.
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the pan from heat and add the lilac florets and lemon peel. Stir gently to ensure the flowers and peel are fully submerged in the syrup.
- Cover the saucepan and let the mixture steep for at least 2-3 hours, or until it reaches your desired level of flavor. For a stronger infusion, you can let it steep overnight in the refrigerator.
- After steeping, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl to remove the lilac florets and lemon peel. Press the flowers gently to extract as much syrup as possible.
- Pour the strained syrup into a sterilized glass jar or bottle with a tight-sealing lid.
Notes
Store it in the refrigerator, where it will keep for about 3-4 weeks.
Christopher is a food and lifestyle expert, recipe developer and the content creator behind May Eighty Five. With over 6 years of creating recipes for your favourite food brands, he also shares tips, tricks and how to’s that he has learnt over the years. Every week, he shares quick, simple and mostly healthy recipes along with some home and entertaining tips. You will find flavorful cocktails, delicious appetizers, tasty mains and some indulgent desserts.
