Lavender Blueberry cordial is a perfect syrup for those sweet fresh summer drinks. With the distinct floral flavour from the lavender the flavour is then rounded out and softened with the beautiful blueberries. It is a very simple recipe that takes very little effort making it a perfect recipe for those busy summer days.
Lavender in cooking
Lavender has grown in popularity over the past few years. We’ve seen it in food, drinks, home decor, and, of course, in our gardens. But what is it about this herbal plant that draws so many of us in?
I believe it’s the feeling it evokes—the way it soothes and comforts us. Even if you’ve never read about its calming and healing properties, there’s something about lavender that we instinctively understand. It simply has a presence that brings a sense of peace.
Because of this, we often find ourselves reaching for lavender in the kitchen and throughout the home. However, despite being a firm favourite, it’s an herb that can easily be overdone. The flavour can quickly become overpowering, dominating an entire dish. That’s why finding the right balance is so important. We want its essence to be noticeable, but never overwhelming.
Lavender’s strong taste comes from the potent oils within the plant, so it’s always helpful to pair it with something that complements and softens it. I’ve found that blueberries do just that. Their sweet, mildly musky flavour with just a touch of acidity makes them the perfect companion for lavender, gently balancing its intensity.
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Tools and Ingredients for Lavender Blueberry Cordial
Tools
- Medium large saucepan
- Cheese cloth or a jelly bag
- Funnel
- Glass bottles or jars, you will need enough for roughly 1.5 litres of liquid.
Ingredients
- Granulated sugar or castor (berry) sugar.
- Water
- Lavender, fresh or dried blooms will work for this recipe. You can also infuse some of the sugar with the lavender first which adds to the overall flavour. Check out my infused sugars here for more ideas.
- Blueberries, this is a perfect recipe for frozen blueberries
- Optional, citric acid. This is a preservative making the cordial last a little longer. I would recommend using it and don’t worry you can’t taste it.
How to make Lavender Blueberry Cordial
Begin by placing the sugar, water and citric acid if you are using it into a medium large saucepan. Place it over a medium high heat and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Add to it the blueberries and lavender flowers, stir them in really well and leave this to gently come to a boil.
Turn the heat down to a medium low setting we still want a gentle boil.
Gently boil it for around five to eight minutes or until the blueberries have softened down and have become mushy. You can mash the fruit a little with a masher if you have one.
Set the saucepan to the side to cool down completely before placing the pot into the fridge over night. This will allow the flavours to infuse and settle.
The next day take the syrup and put it through a cheese cloth or jelly bag.
Place the strainer over a jug and let it naturally come through, meaning don’t be tempted to push the syrup through we want a clear cordial. This is why I like to use a jelly bag with a stand because it makes it very simple to let it stand and drip through.
You may need to do it in two batches. Once the jug is full pour the cordial into clean bottles or jars, using a funnel will make this step a lot easier.
You should get two 750ml bottles worth of lavender blueberry syrup at the end. Store it in the fridge for up to a month.
Serving Suggestions for Lavender Blueberry Cordial
- Enjoy it simply in some sparking water to get the full flavour of this cordial.
- French 75 cocktail with a twist substitute the sweetener with the cordial.
- There is also the vodka version, called the French 76.
- Add the cordial to a gin and tonic, this will definitely take it up a level.
- Why not make your own ice cream with it. I think adding this cordial along with some fresh blueberries to homemade ice cream would be delicious.
- Perhaps you could add it to some waffle or pancake batter. This would be great to experiment with, try it with my blueberry pancakes recipe.
These are just a few of the ideas that I had for the lavender blueberry cordial. I would really love to hear your ideas too in the comments below.
Lavender Blueberry Cordial
A delicious floral and fruity cordial. The perfect addition to cool refreshing summer drinks.
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 4 cups Sugar
- 4 cups Blueberries (you can use frozen)
- 1/4 cup Lavender flowers, approx 40 to 50 stems
- 1 tsp citric acid, optional (helps to preserve it longer)
- Small pinch salt
Instructions
- Begin by placing the sugar, water and citric acid if you are using it into a medium large saucepan. Place it over a medium high heat and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Add to it the blueberries and lavender flowers, stir them in really well and leave this to gently come to a boil.
- Turn the heat down to a medium low setting we still want a gentle boil.
- Gently boil it for around five to eight minutes or until the blueberries have softened down and have become mushy. You can mash the fruit a little with a masher if you have one.
- Set the saucepan to the side to cool down completely before placing the pot into the fridge over night. This will allow the flavours to infuse and settle.
- The next day take the syrup and put it through a cheese cloth or jelly bag. Place the strainer over a jug and let it naturally come through, meaning don't be tempted to push the syrup through we want a clear cordial. This is why I like to use a jelly bag with a stand because it makes it very simple to let it stand and drip through.
- You may need to do it in two batches. Once the jug is full pour the cordial into clean bottles or jars, using a funnel will make this step a lot easier.
You should get two 750ml bottles worth of lavender blueberry syrup at the end. Store them in the fridge for up to a month. You can also freeze the cordial just make sure to place it in freezer safe containers.
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