How are you welcoming summer? I am delving into the weekend with a scrumptious mocktail. Who’s up for a sip? 🙌
Did you know you could make syrup out of lilac blossoms? I only found out about it recently, thanks to a few videos (some of them truly idyllic, such as this one) I came across on YouTube. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to hold on to lilac season a bit longer.
Since I couldn’t locate a written recipe, I went by my gut instinct (lol) and used 10 cups washed lilac petals and 5 cups water.
I boiled the petals for about 30 minutes (until they turned white), then strained the resulting light lilac liquid, added 2 cups of sugar (perhaps I should use less next time? The syrup turned rather sweet) and the juice of 1 lemon, and boiled over a low flame for an extra 45 minutes, until the liquid thickened just a little bit. 
This syrup keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It tastes floral and mellow, similar to honey, and the smell of lilac is captured to perfection.
To make a mocktail I placed 3 sliced strawberries and a few leaves of lemon balm into a cocktail shaker, and I muddled them with a wooden spoon. I added 1/2 oz lilac syrup and ice, and shook well for about 30 seconds, until well combined. I filled half of my glass with ice, poured some of the shaker mixture over, added blood orange soda and extra berries, and garnished with lemon balm.
Success!
Stay tuned for my full review of the Elevated Craft hybrid cocktail shaker, which has inspired me to create this refreshing drink to start off my weekend in a very special fashion.
What’s your favorite cocktail/ mocktail? Let me know in the comments 🙂
Summer mocktail with lilac syrup
Ingredients
- 10 cups lilac flowers, washed and green stems removed
- 5 cups water
- 2 cups granulated sugar (use less if desired)
- Freshly squeezed juice of one medium lemon
- 4 strawberries, sliced
- 1 can blood orange soda, as needed
- Ice
- Handful of fresh lemon balm
Instructions
- Put lilac and water in a large pot and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for around 30 minutes or until petals turn white. Take off the heat and strain well.
- Place the liquid back into the pot. Add sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over low heat. Boil for about 45 minutes or until syrup thickens a little bit, stirring occasionally. Take off the heat and cool off slightly.
- To make the mocktail, place 3 strawberries and a couple lemon balm leaves in a cocktail shaker, and muddle with a wooden spoon. Add 1/2 oz fresh lilac syrup and ice. Shake for about 30 seconds or until well combined. Fill half of a cocktail glass with ice, pour 1oz of the shaker mixture, and blood orange soda until glass is almost full. Add the remaining strawberry slices and lemon balm. Serve cold.
- Enjoy!
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