Lilac Simple Syrup
This is another post on the series of foraging with kiddos. Check out some of the other things we’ve foraged for and made together:
Refreshing Lilac Water/Lilac Lemonade
Lilacs + sugar + water = lilac simple syrup. It’s as simple as that. This stuff has a very subtle lilac essence that is delicious in some homemade lilac lemonade, in a cup of coffee, on pancakes, poured over some berries, or wherever else your little heart desires.
If you are foraging with kiddos please please make sure they understand that some things in nature we can eat, and some can make us very sick. I try really hard to teach my girls to love nature and all of God’s beauty, but to also respect it and take care of it. I don’t want to freak them out but they also need to know there are some dangerous plants. Our family rule is to always ask daddy or mommy before you taste anything you pick. And of course they are also learning that we only pick in clean areas (away from pollution and any harmful chemicals that may have been sprayed on plants) and in places where we are welcome. We also talk about leaving behind enough flowers for the bees—and if we are not on our own property, then leaving some for other people.
Lilac Simple Syrup
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup organic sugar
1 cup freshly picked lilacs
3-4 blueberries (optional—fresh or frozen)
Splash of lemon juice (optional)
Directions
De-stem your freshly picked lilacs by either picking them off with your fingers, or snipping with a scissors. The goal is to remove as much green as possible. Not going for perfect here, but too much green will add a bitter flavor to your syrup. You want about 1 cup or so of just the lilac florets. Place them in a glass jar that has a lid. (Mason jar works great) I’ve found that using a scissors and snipping them is quicker.
Bring the sugar and water to a simmer in a small saucepan. Stir constantly and remove from heat once the sugar is dissolved. If you would like your syrup to have more color than what the lilacs will give, go ahead and add in your blueberries. Squish them just a bit and let the color leach out. Now if you want to have a little fun science class with your kids, add a splash of lemon juice (just a bit! We don’t want to alter the taste…just the color) and watch what happens. Play around with it a bit.
Once you have your fun with the colors, go ahead and pour the syrup over the lilacs. Cover with a lid and allow them to infuse together overnight. I leave mine on the counter, but you could also put it in the fridge.
In the morning strain off the lilacs, place the syrup in a clean container, cover and store in the fridge. Should last about a month or so. Another option is to freeze the simple syrup in ice cube trays for a winter treat!
Enjoy!
WHERE TO PURCHASE
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If you are unable to grow your own herbs, or find ingredients locally, then here are two of my favorite places to buy bulk ingredients:
And this place is pretty cool for finding organic and/or heirloom seeds:
