You know spring is in full swing when you see lilacs start popping up at the farmer’s market. The scent of these tiny purple buds is glorious. If you’ve ever gotten a whiff of it, you probably understand why I decided to preserve it in syrup form. It’s fresh, floral, and light. So if you find rose flavored things to be too intense, this flower might be more up your alley! It lends a lovely floral taste to whatever it touches without making it taste like soap. If you’re a lover of spring, this easy lilac syrup is the perfect addition to bakes and cocktails.
Where can I find lilacs?
Truth be told, lilacs can be a bit difficult to source. If you’re lucky enough to have a plant nearby and you’re certain that it hasn’t been treated with pesticides, by all means use that. The rest of us don’t have it so easy. I was able to find these dainty flowers at a local farmer’s market. If you’re based in Los Angeles, try the Hollywood Farmer’s Market. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market had them, too! All that said, they’re super seasonal, so you’ll want to make sure that you get them at the right time of year. For me, that’s spring. I went early April and found them in abundance. If I’d gone in October, however, I’m certain that wouldn’t have been the case.
How do I make this syrup?
This lilac syrup is actually super easy to make. You basically make a simple syrup (using a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water), and then pour that over a bunch of fresh lilacs. Clean them and pluck off all the green stems before doing this. Then, let them infuse for a few hours. 3-5 should be golden, but the longer you let it go, the stronger it’ll be. Once you’re happy with the taste, strain the liquid into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. That’s it! It does take a minute to prep all the flowers, but apart from that it’s mostly a waiting game.
How do I store this?
Once your lilac syrup has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container like a jar or a tupperware and put it in the fridge. It’ll last for a few months that way, allowing you to enjoy the taste of lilac well into the summer!
Easy Lilac Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Water
- 2 cups Lilacs (Just the flowers – cleaned and stemmed)
Instructions
- Add water and sugar to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook until all sugar has dissolved (this should take between 5 and 10 minutes). Then remove from heat.
- Pour the simple syrup that you just made over the lilacs and let sit, covered, for about 3-5 hours. Then strain the liquid into a jar or some other airtight container and refrigerate.
See? I told you this was super easy! If you make it, I really hope you love it. And if you’re at a loss for what to do with it, stay tuned, because I’ve got a recipe that uses it coming soon! Of course, if you make it, let me know what you think in the comments or on Instagram. I love hearing from you and seeing the magic you create.
Looking for more springtime recipes? Try my brown butter sugar cookies with Cadbury mini eggs (they’re perfect for Easter!) or my ultra refreshing lychee rose lemonade. I also have a raspberry rose jam that’s to die for.
