Refreshing Lilac Water and Lilac Lemonade
This is another post in my series on foraging with kiddos. If your kids had fun foraging for dandelions and making dandelion cake I am sure they will have a blast with this one.
Yes, yes, I am going to dedicate an entire blog post to something as simple as lilac water. Honest to goodness, though, if you haven’t ever tried a floral water of some sort you have got to try it. It is truly so hydrating and refreshing. The ultimate and most simple thing to keep on hand for hot days. This is basically like making cucumber water, only with edible flowers.
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 Infused Water
Pick lilacs) Using a scissors helps to remove them without ripping and tearing the bush
Wash lilacs) I just rinse them quickly to get off any bugs
Place lilacs in large clean pitcher) I don’t worry about removing the stems for this “recipe”
Fill the pitcher with water) Room temperature or cold water—NOT hot
Place in the fridge and allow to infuse overnight
Pour yourself a nice refreshing cup of lilac water
That’s truly all there is to it! Drink within a few days. But feel free to top off your pitcher with more water in a day or so. The lilac flavor will still be there.
Now if you want to take this even further, you can turn this into a lilac lemonade. It’s very simple to do, although if you wish to make it more challenging you can do so with the addition of lilac syrup. :)
Lilac Lemonade
Ingredients
Lilac water
Lemons
Sugar OR lilac simple syrup OR honey
Directions
You will not be using nearly as many lemons as you would when making plain lemonade. You want just a hint of lemon to complement the lilacs. Basically it’s a dump and taste type situation. I like to start with my glass or pitcher of lilac water and then start squeezing lemons one at a time. Take a wee sip every so often. You’ll know when you’ve added enough lemon. Then, you’ll probably want to sweeten it a bit—use any sweetener you wish, but my personal favorite is the lilac simple syrup. Mixes in so smooth, plus turns it a pretty color.
That’s it! Drink and enjoy. My kiddos love tart things so they were huge fans of the lemonade. I hope yours enjoy it too!
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: