How to Make Lavender-Infused Lemonade

I'm celebrating the first few real days of summer by making lemonade. You won't find me selling this lemonade at a roadside stand, however. This lemonade is a little different that lemonade stand lemonade;  a little more "grown up". It's a mix of lemons and limes and it's infused with (what else?)
                                     
                                                                                                                                               ...lavender.
 (if you know me, this really comes as no surprise..does it!?)

Now that the temperatures here are in the 80's on a fairly regular basis, I'm enjoying my first batch of lavender from the new garden here are the French farmhouse. There's not a lot of it because this is only the first full summer that it has been in the ground. It was the first thing that I planted last year when I moved here so there is enough to make a few of my favorite  lavender-infused beverages and maybe even a sachet or two!

This recipe is super easy. In fact, it only has five ingredients...and one of them is water. The recipe originally came from Oprah's kitchen but I've adapted it just a bit for my taste.  I tend to like me lemonade a little sweeter so I've increased the sugar and cut back on the lime juice.

This lemonade is the type that you make a day ahead so that the flavors have plenty of time to mingle and the mixture can cool prior to serving. I don't know why it is but for some reason, Friday and Saturday seem to be my "lemonade makin'" days.  Then I can sit in the shade and enjoy a cool glass on either Saturday or Sunday afternoon....
                                                                                                                        ....at least that's the theory...

For me, it's more like grabbing a glass on my way out the door to pull a few of the weeds (which are now as tall as the daisies in the garden) or taking a to go cup in the car as I drive to my son's place to work on a project.  I don't usually sit still long enough to sip a cool glass under a tree in my yard...but it's a lovely idea

                                                                                                   ....for next year, .....after the construction.

Lavender Infused Lemon-Limeade

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 14 lemons) (reserve 1/2 lemon for garnish)

3/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 4 limes)

7-8 sprigs fresh lavender with stems and leaves (more for garnish)

1 1/4 cup sugar

1 gallon water

Directions:

In a large pot, combine water and sugar and bring to a boil.

Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice, lime juice and lavender. 

Allow the mixture to come to room temperature.

Strain and Chill or Serve over ice with lemon and lavender sprigs for garnish.

That's all there is to it.  If you have an aversion to lavender, it's also great infused with lemon thyme...or basil

I hope that you're enjoying some summer weather at your home and that you'll find the opportunity to make some lavender-infused lemonade for yourself. It's a refreshing summer drink that's easy to make and is great for bridal showers, summer luncheons

....or even when you're just going outside to tame the jungle that's threatening to take over your flower bed!

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