It's SUMMER! It's hot, hazy and humid! Why not cool off with these refreshing, easy-to-make refreshing herbal lemonades? There are many options for using herbs from the garden or local farmers markets to create delicious, cooling beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). Think Mints, Lemon Verbena, Lemon Balm, Lavender, Anise Hyssop, or Chamomile to start with!
Here are 4 of my favourite Herbal Lemonades
Lemony-Lemonade with Lemon Balm
A simple lemonade but even more tasty with the added flavour of lemon balm!
Enjoyed by children and adults alike. Serve well-chilled. Lemon balm (melissa officinalis) is one of my best green allies for
so many reasons. Check out Lemon Balm here.
4 lemons
½ cup fresh lemon balm leaves
½ cup raw honey (or coconut sugar)
⅔ cup boiling water
2 ½ cups water
ice (optional)
Perrier or sparkling water (optional)
2 -3 fresh sprigs lemon balm, to decorate
- Wash the lemons well.
- Carefully peel the rind , avoiding the white pith.
- Set aside the lemons.
- Place the lemon balm leaves, the lemon rind, and the sugar into a small heat-proof container.
- I use Mason jars as I always have them on hand.
- Pour the boiling water into the jar (if using) or heat-proof pitcher and stir well, crushing the lemon balm leaves to release their flavour.
- Leave mixture to infuse for about 15 minutes.
- Now, cut the lemons in half and squeeze out the juice.
- Strain juice into a large glass pitcher and add the cooled, strained syrup.
- Add a few fresh sprigs of lemon balm,
Top up with water or half-water half-ice, and chill until ready to serve, or add to some Perrier or your preferred 'sparkling water'.
Lavender Lemonade
¼ cup dried Lavender
2 cups boiling water
¾ cup honey
4 lemons
Cold water
Use a canning jar or pitcher to serve
Place the Lavender blossoms in the jar and cover with boiling water.
Let steep for 10 minutes then strain.
Cut the lemons in half.
Use a citrus juice extractor (I love my ol' glass one!) or use a 'citrus reamer' ~ ok.. Get the juice out of the lemons and into the jar!Add the lavender infusion and the honey to the lemon juice in the jar.
Fill the jar (or pitcher etc) with cold water.
Stir.
Add ice cubes.
Stir. Enjoy!
Lavender marries Lemon Balm + makes Lemonade!
⅛ cup dried Lavender flowers
1 cup fresh Lemon Balm leaves, lightly packed
2-3 cups boiling water
¾ cup raw honey
3- 4 lemons
Cold water
Use a Mason jar or pitcher to serve
Place the lavender flowers in a large glass jar or pitcher.
Top with just boiled water and allow to steep 5-8 minutes
Add the fresh lemon balm leaves
Poke with a chopstick or wooden spoon until plant material is submerged.
Allow to steep for 8-10 minutes.
Strain. Compost the plant material or reserve to make again -- can make another light batch!
Cut the lemons in half. Add the juice -- without the pits/seeds to the lemon balm-lavender 'tea'.
Add cold water and ice cubes to the lemony tea.
Enjoy!
LimeAde with Basil + Grated Ginger
Follow the StudioBotanica Pinterest Board
Green blessings to all,
xo Carol
Love to hear what you are doing with herbs!
Kelsey
These sound delicious! Excited to give them a try...a friend of mine served basil lemonade the other day, it was surprisingly amazing!
linda spiker
Lemonade is my favorite summer drink! These herbal recipes sound fabulous!
The Food Hunter
I grow lemon balm...fun to use in recipes.
Jessica @Nutritioulicious
These definitely sound refreshing for the summer! What tasty combinations!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
I can't wait to make some lemonade soon. I want to make the lemon balm one since I finally planted some.
Raia Todd
This sounds delicious! I love the idea of adding lavender to lemonade!
Lindsey Dietz
I've made lavender lemonade (sipping on some now, actually) and wild violet lemonade. So delicious and such beautiful colors!
Carol Little
SO true!! Good for you Lindsey!
Anna
Can you use fresh lavender?
Carol Little
Yes!!