Lilac syrup is a lovely addition to your favorite summer cocktail or non alcoholic beverage. This floral simple syrup is perfect for wedding showers, baby showers or summer parties.
If you are looking for a way to use lilac syrup for your beverages, make a batch of lilac infused alcohol. This recipe is for vodka but feel free to switch it out for gin, or an alcohol of your choice.
Delicious Lilac Syrup
Making a simple syrup of fresh lilacs, water and sugar will make your summer drinks have that little 'something' that no other drink will. Lilac syrup tastes just like it sounds. A syrup that tastes like the fragrance of lilacs. The recipe card below will show you how simple it is.
Why you'll love this recipe
Making lilac syrup recipe allows you to create an edible and fragrant syrup using fresh lilac blossoms, to sweeten and enhance the aroma of beverages like lilac lemonade and baked goods.
Simple lilac syrup ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup lilac flowers
- 4 blackberries, fresh or frozen
Preparing lilacs for simple syrup
- Make sure the lilacs were not treated or sprayed with pesticides.
- Harvest the lilacs first thing in the morning while the temperatures are cooler and the blossoms are at peak moisture content.
- Shake off any dead blossoms.
- Remove just the blossom, leaving behind the stems, leaves and the green bits.
- Don't freak out if you have bits of green stems.
How to Make Lilac syrup:
- Add lilac flowers, water, sugar, and blackberries in a small saucepan on medium heat.
- Bring to a boil and make sure that the sugar is dissolved.
- Turn off the heat, steep the syrup, and cool completely.
- Strain the syrup using a fine mesh strainer, removing the lilac florets and the blackberries.
- Store in a closed jar or bottle and refrigerate the lilac syrup for up to 10 days.
Lilac color in the lilac simple syrup recipe
The natural color of lilacs, when boiled is a pale yellow. But with the addition of a few black berries, fresh or frozen, the lovely lilac color to the syrup. If you don't have black berries on hand, a drop or two of food coloring will work as well but I was going very all natural for this recipe. The color of the syrup is just as good if you don't add any color. But when we eat and drink with our eyes first, I add the purple color to the syrup to call it out as lilac syrup.
Recipe FAQs
How to use lilac syrup?
The syrup can be used in many ways:
- Flavorful Drinks and Cocktails - Lilac syrup adds a spring flavor to your beverages. Mix it with water, sparkling water, or ginger ale for a refreshing lilac-infused drink. Use it to make a lilac lemonade by combining sparkling water or regular water, lilac syrup and lemon juice a 1:1:2 ratio.
- Sweet Toppings - Drizzle lilac syrup over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream for a unique and floral twist. The lilac petals infuse the syrup with their heavenly fragrance, making it a delightful addition to your favorite desserts.
Are all varieties of lilacs edible?
Not all varieties of lilacs are edible, with some having potential bitterness, lack of flavor, or other factors. If you decide to consume the edible ones, remember to rinse them thoroughly before use. Depending on the variety, other kinds of lilacs can make the syrup bitter.
What recipe can I make with lilac syrup and blueberries?
You can create a refreshing lilac blueberry lemonade with lilac syrup, blueberries, and a few blueberries in a blender. Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain the mixture, pour it into ice cube trays, and freeze; then serve the lilac-infused blueberry ice cubes in a glass of lemonade for a beverage reminiscent of a full bloom garden.
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Water
- 2 Cups Sugar
- 1 Cup lilac flowers
- 4 blackberries fresh or frozen
Instructions
- Combine the water, sugar, lilac flowers and blackberries.
- Bring to a boil and completely dissolve the sugar.
- Turn off the heat and allow to steep and cool completely.
- Strain the syrup, removing the flowers and the blackberries.
- Store in a closed container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Nicoleta says
Thank you Sarah for your amazing recipes!
Sarah Mock says
You are welcome Nicoleta! Enjoy your lilac syrup!
Betty says
I tried to double the recipe, but my math was poor. I added 2x the lilac called for, but not the simple syrup. It's excellent, and I want to make that mistake again! Thank you!
Sarah Mock says
Sorry that happened Betty! There is a button/tab on the recipe card that you can adjust the number of times you want to make this recipe. I hope is helpful.
Amina says
I tried the recipe, and it was great. I needed a smaller amount of the syrup so I just split the amount of every intrigent in half. Since I don't drink alcohol I put it in my lemonade, the syrup gave it an interesting flowery taste, overall a great recipe.