Description
This Lavender Vanilla Bean Lemonade with Orange Zest pairs soothing lavender with rich warm vanilla bean and bright orange zest into a creamy, citrusy, and floral lemonade that tastes completely unique and utterly irresistible. The vanilla bean adds a deep, luxurious sweetness that elevates this drink far beyond ordinary lemonade. You need just fifteen minutes to make this stunning, bakery-inspired drink.
Ingredients
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
3 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
1 vanilla bean (split and scraped) or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup honey or simple syrup (adjust to taste)
1/2 cup hot water (for lavender syrup)
3 cups cold water
1 cup ice cubes
Orange slices and lavender sprigs for garnish
Instructions
1. Add dried culinary lavender and scraped vanilla bean seeds and pod into a small bowl.
2. Pour hot water over the mixture and add honey or simple syrup.
3. Stir until the honey dissolves completely.
4. Steep for 10 minutes then strain out the lavender and vanilla pod.
5. Let the vanilla lavender syrup cool completely.
6. Pour fresh lemon juice and fresh orange juice into a large pitcher.
7. Add orange zest and the cooled vanilla lavender syrup.
8. Pour in cold water and stir everything together until well combined.
9. Taste and adjust sweetness or citrus as needed.
10. Fill glasses with ice, pour the lemonade over the ice, garnish and serve immediately.
Notes
A real vanilla bean gives far more depth and complexity than vanilla extract — use it if you can find it.
If using vanilla extract add it after straining the syrup — heat destroys its delicate aroma.
Orange zest adds a bright citrus pop that lifts the floral and vanilla notes beautifully.
Do not steep the lavender longer than 10 minutes or the syrup turns soapy and bitter.
Store the vanilla lavender syrup in the fridge for up to one week for quick daily batches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Method: Stirring
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (12 oz)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg