How To Make Lilac Simple Syrup- Lilac Syrup Recipe (2024)

Last updated on March 11th, 2024 at 09:57 pm

Lilac simple syrup is a springtime favourite. The floral infused mixture can be used to add a fresh flavour to many seasonal recipes and drinks. Learn how to make lilac simple syrup, and enjoy the sweet floral taste of lilacs, both in your glass or on your plate.

The scent of lilacs in the air is a sure sign of spring.

Although this is a busy time of year in the garden, I always make sure to take a moment to stop to smell the lilacs during lilac season.

It seems however, that the lilacs just start to bloom, and then all of a sudden, they are done for another year. Lilacs are one of those flowering shrubs that you really have to watch, if you are waiting for blooms to harvest.

Lilacs do not bloom at the same time each year, so keep an eye on developing flowers.

That way you can make sure to catch them and use them, when they are in full bloom.

Place some beautiful lilac flowers in your vase, and of course use them to make a few favourite lilac recipes with the essence of the fragrant lilac blossoms.

Lilacs Are Edible Flowers

Lilacs are edible flowers. The heady floral scent of the blossoms can be infused into a tea to make lilac jelly, into sugar to make lilac sugar, and into a syrup for lilac simple syrup.

Last year I made lilac sugar, and a wonderful lilac jelly. This year I will be making a lilac simple syrup recipe, and adding lots of blossoms to cookies and cakes.

Let’s start with lilac simple syrup, a simple and easy recipe.

What Is Lilac Simple Syrup?

A simple syrup is a sugar syrup, that is made with equal parts sugar and water.

A lilac simple syrup is a simple syrup, with the addition of lilac, which is gently infused to give a light floral taste.

Lilac simple syrup is just that, a very simple syrup made with a simple recipe.

This syrup is made from fresh lilacs while in season, and contains only a few basic ingredients.

This simple syrup is a homemade syrup, made with flowers from the garden. Using homegrown flowers makes the recipe extra special, especially if you are gifting a bottle or two, to other lilac lovers.

This floral syrup can be used as a base to make special drinks, and is great to have on hand to add to co*cktails and sodas.

The syrup can also be added to many different dishes, as a special touch to moisten or flavour simple spring dishes.

How To Make Lilac Simple Syrup

Tools You Will Need:

• Bowl for collecting the lilac blooms, if you plan to process them right away

• Scissors or garden shears for cutting the lilac blooms

• Containers for holding the syrup- two 500 ml mason jars or similar containers

• Mesh strainer

• If there will be a delay, and you are not able to process the lilacs right away, you will also need a clean bucket of water, into which you can place the lilac stems and blooms. This will help to keep the flowers hydrated and fresh, until you can use them.

Lilac Syrup Ingredients

• Lilac Blossoms- 2 cups of tightly packed fresh opened blossoms

• Cane Sugar- 2 cups

• Water- 2 cups

• Blueberries (optional)- 3 or 4 berries

• Lemon juice (optional)- 2 Tbsp

The Ratio Of Ingredients

• The ratio of the lilac simple syrup is 1:1:1.

• This means a simple syrup of equal parts: one part lilac blossoms, to one part water, to one part sugar.

• You can substitute the cane sugar for honey, however this will change the flavour of the syrup to that of honey.

• You will not get the full taste of the lilac in your syrup with a honey substitution.

• Decide on the amount of lilac syrup that you want to make. This will determine the volume of your ingredients.

• Having a ratio for the ingredients makes it easy to increase or decrease the volume amounts for this recipe.

• You can of course increase the volume of lilac blossoms if you wish, for a stronger floral flavour. Be careful not to add too many flowers however, as this can create a bitter taste in the syrup.

Lilac Syrup Preparation

Picking The Lilac Blooms

• Make sure to pick from a lilac tree that is not at risk for contamination by herbicides or pesticides, and not in an area where the grass has been treated.

• Ensure that your blossoms are organic, and safe to eat.

• Pick from the freshest flowers, and not from spent blooms.

• Harvest the lilac blooms from different spots on the lilac bushes, to balance the bare areas for better aesthetics. I try to do this if I can, although the flowers will not be in bloom much longer after harvest anyway.

• The color of your lilac will determine the intensity of the color of the syrup. The other influence of course is the addition of blueberries or lemon, which will also add to the pink or lilac hue of the mixture.

Process The Flowers

• To process the flowers, the next step involves removing the individual blossoms from each lilac bloom.

• The tiny flowers are fairly easy to pull off the green stems, and come off with a gentle pop. If part of the stem is attached to the back of the blossom, just pull it away to remove it.

• Bits of stems can add a more bitter taste to the syrup, so try to remove them if you can.

• This step can be quite time consuming, so just sit back and relax, and enjoy the wonderful fragrance as you process the flowers.

• The amount of flowers required is determined by you, and the amount of syrup that you plan on making.

• Use only the open blossoms for a fuller taste.

• The unopened buds can still be used, just toss them into an ice cube tray to make edible flower ice cubes. Then add these ice cubes to drinks that you make with the syrup, as an extra special touch.

• Rinse the blossoms gently under cold water to remove any debris or possible insects from the flowers.

• Place the rinsed blossoms into a clean bowl in preparation for the syrup.

Lilac Syrup Instructions

• First in a medium sized saucepan, boil together the sugar and water, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

• Add the blueberries and lemon juice if you are using them. They will help to add colour to the lilac syrup.

• Allow the sweet liquid to cool down, to a warm or lukewarm temperature.

• At this temperature there will be no browning of the lilac florets, which occurs when hot water is poured over the lilac blossoms.

• Pour the warm syrup mixture over the prepared lilac blossoms in the bowl.

• Stir the mixture, ensuring that all the blossoms are well covered.

• Allow the mixture to infuse at room temperature for several hours.

• Then cover, and place the mixture in the fridge to further infuse. Leave in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours, depending on the strength of the lilac taste that you would like.

• A 12 hour infusion will provide a more gentle floral flavour, while a 24 hour infusion will be slightly stronger.

• Remove from the fridge when done, and strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the lilac bits.

• Pour through a funnel, and place syrup into clean prepared jars.

Lilac Syrup Recipe

Lilac Syrup Recipe- Lilac Simple Syrup

Yield: 500 mls

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 1 day

Total Time: 1 day 2 hours 5 minutes

Lilac simple syrup is a springtime favourite. The floral infused mixture can be used to add a fresh flavour to many seasonal recipes and drinks.

Ingredients

• Lilac Blossoms- 2 cups of tightly packed fresh opened blossoms
• Cane Sugar- 2 cups
• Water- 2 cups
• Blueberries (optional)- 3 or 4 berries
• Lemon juice (optional)- 2 Tbsp

Instructions

1. To process the flowers, remove the individual blossoms from each lilac bloom. Use only the open blossoms for a fuller taste.
2. This step can be quite time consuming, so just sit back and relax, and enjoy the wonderful fragrance as you process the flowers.
3. Rinse the blossoms gently under cold water to remove any debris or possible insects from the flowers.
4. Place the rinsed blossoms into a clean bowl in preparation for the syrup.
5. In a medium sized saucepan, boil together the sugar and water, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
6. Add the blueberries and lemon juice if you are using them. They will help to add colour to the lilac syrup.
7. Allow the sweet liquid to cool down, to a warm or lukewarm temperature.
8. Pour the warm syrup mixture over the prepared lilac blossoms in the bowl.
9. Allow the mixture to infuse at room temperature for several hours.
10. Then cover, and place the mixture in the fridge to further infuse. Leave in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours, depending on the strength of the lilac taste that you would like.
11. Remove from the fridge when done, and strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the lilac bits.
12. Pour through a funnel, and place syrup into clean prepared jars.

Notes

Make sure to pick from a lilac tree that is not at risk for contamination by herbicides or pesticides, and not in an area where the grass has been treated. Ensure that your blossoms are organic, and safe to eat.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 101Serving Size: 1 tsp
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 18Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 0g

Please note: This nutritional information is an estimation only. Please calculate your exact brands and ingredients for better accuracy

See Also

How to Grow Pea Shoots • Steamy Kitchen Recipes Giveaways

How Long Does Lilac Simple Syrup Last?

This simple syrup will last for two to three days in the fridge.

Since the liquid and flowers have not been boiled, this lilac syrup is not considered to be a canned product, and the shelf life is limited.

If you do not use all of the syrup in this time frame, the leftovers can be safely frozen in ice cube trays for up to six months. This will prolong your enjoyment of the syrup, providing a longer storage time.

Just pop out a few ice cubes any time you want some syrup, and thaw out at room temperature.

What Does Lilac Syrup Taste Like?

Lilac syrup is a milder version of the fragrance of lilacs from fresh lilac flowers.

The syrup has a unique floral flavor that reminds me of spring.

The longer the fresh blossoms are infused in the syrup, the stronger the flavour will be.

What Is Lilac Simple Syrup Used For?

Simple lilac syrup can be used as a sweet floral base for many foods and drinks.

For drinks, think mocktails and co*cktails.

Add a splash to your favourite co*cktail, to spice it up with a unique lilac flavour.

Or add it to fizzy drinks for a special floral touch. Mix a small amount of the sweet mix to carbonated water for an instant lilac soda.

Use the syrup as a base for lilac lemonade. All you need to add are lemons and water.

It can also be used in your tea as a sweetener, whether in hot tea or iced tea.

Lilac simple syrup can be used for any dessert, and can be added as a special ingredient to your baking. Add it to whipped cream for a special flavour.

It can also be poured over pancakes, ice cream, and yogurt.

Pour over cakes before icing, to add a wonderful moist flavour as an added surprise.

The list is endless, just be creative. And don’t forget to garnish with a few fresh sprigs of lilac blossoms, if they are still available.

Floral ice cubes made with blossoms are also a beautiful touch for any cool drink that has been made with this simple syrup.

Conclusion

When I discovered that sweet lilac blossoms were edible, I was thrilled to use this sweet smelling flower in special drinks and recipes.

Working with the fresh lilac blossoms is such an aromatic experience, and the fragrance is absolutely heavenly.

For lilac syrup, if you allow the blossoms to infuse over time, the floral notes of the mixture becomes stronger and fuller. For a more delicate lilac flavor, steep for less time.

Use blueberries to enhance the purple color, for a beautiful presentation.

If you are planning to make lilac simple syrup, make sure to catch your lilacs in bloom. These sweet fragrant flowers don’t last long on the bush, and bloom for only a brief time.

Freeze a batch to last beyond the season, and to enjoy long after the lilacs have bloomed.

Have you ever tried to make lilac simple syrup? Be sure to leave a comment below to share your experience!

Other Posts You May Like:

Other Lilac Posts You May Like:

• How To Grow Lilacs

• How Long Do Lilacs Bloom?

• Growing Lilacs From Seed

• How To Dry Lilacs

• How To Grow Lilacs From Cuttings

• Saving Lilac Seeds

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