In this recipe, learn how to use lilac flowers to make an easy, refreshing glass of lilac tea. Because lilac flowers aren't just pretty spring flowers, they're also edible!
Here in Vermont, lilacs are in full bloom, and it's a sure sign that summer is just about here. Lilacs have a rich, sweet aroma that's hard to miss. They smell so good you can't help but wonder how they might taste. And since they're completely edible, there's no need to wonder.
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There are many ways to use lilac flowers in the kitchen. Like other edible flowers, I enjoy infusing their flavor into something rather than directly eating the flowers themselves - though you totally could!
Making lilac sugar is one of the easiest ways to impart its flavor. All you have to do is add some flowers to a container of sugar, shake it up, and let it sit for a few days. Then sift out the flowers, and you'll find that the sweet floral flavor of the lilac has infused into your sugar.
In this lilac recipe, we'll use the flowers to infuse a simple syrup that we'll then use to flavor and sweeten a pitcher of homemade iced tea.
If you're interested in using other flowers from your garden in your cooking and baking, check out my chamomile cookie recipe. And if you also have rhubarb in your garden, give this rhubarb crumble cake a try. Or if it's more tea ideas you're after, how about this recipe for honey citrus tea?
🌼 Ingredients
Do you have lilacs in your yard? If not, I'm sure you know someone who does. If you've wondered what it takes the grow them (hint: they're easy!), here's some info from Iowa State University.
- Freshly picked lilac flowers will flavor the tea. Pick your flowers the day or the day before you make this tea, preferably in the morning when they're at their best. Look for branches that aren't too close to the ground (cause you never know who may have peed on them 😉) and pick only from plants you know haven't been sprayed with chemicals.
- Loose-leaf tea or tea bags of your favorite variety. A green or a not-too-strong black tea work well. Use a tea that won't overpower the subtle flavor of the lilacs.
- Sugar to make the simple syrup. White granulated sugar or natural cane sugar are good choices.
- A lemon, for serving.
🔪 Instructions
Remove the lilac flowers from their branches and rinse well with water.
Add the clean lilac flowers to a small pan.
Add the sugar and water to the pan. Bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit for 1 hour.
Meanwhile, make the tea. Add tea leaves or bags to boiling water and let steep as required for your specific tea variety. Chill while the syrup cools.
Pour the lilac simple syrup into a jar with a tight-fitting lid. You won't need all of it at once, so store whatever you don't need in the fridge.
To serve, fill glasses with ice. Pour over the tea and some of the lilac simple syrup. Garnish with some lilac flowers and a slice of lemon.
Tip: This infused simple syrup makes a mild-tasting lilac tea. So if you're worried about it being overwhelmingly floral, there's no need. I actually suggest brewing your tea on the weaker side so that the lilac flavor can come through better. If you're tea is too strong you likely won't even taste the lilac flavor.
🍋 Variations and Substitutions
- Cold brew your tea for a more mild flavor that will let the lilac syrup stand out better. I do this by adding tea leaves to a pitcher of water and putting it in the fridge overnight.
- Lilac lemonade could be made in the same way. Just prep a pitcher of lemonade instead of iced tea and flavor it with the lilac syrup to your liking.
🍵 Storage
You likely won't use the entire cup of lilac simple syrup all at once. So keep it stored in the fridge with a tight lid and use it within a month.
And it's not just good for making lilac tea. Try it in your lemonade, to flavor your seltzer, and in summer cocktails in place of regular simple syrup.
💭 FAQ
A bit like it smells, to be honest. It's a mix of sweet and floral but it's a very subtle flavor. No need to worry about it being like an overwhelming perfume in this recipe.
Not in this recipe. Here, we're using fresh lilac flowers to make a simple syrup that flavors your iced tea. I'm sure the flowers could be dried and part of a homemade dried tea blend, but I haven't tried this myself.
All kinds of lilacs are edible. You don't need to worry about using only a specific variety. However, do make sure the flowers you use are clean and haven't been sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals.
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📖 Recipe
Lilac Tea
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 glasses of tea 1x
Description
This recipe uses lilac flowers to make a refreshing lilac iced tea. Because lilacs aren't just pretty spring flowers, they're also edible!
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed lilac flowers
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6-8 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea or 6-8 tea bags (use your preferred tea)
- 1 lemon, cut into slices for serving
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, add the lilac flowers, sugar, and 1 cup of water. Over low heat, bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir to dissolve the sugar and let simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool and steep for at least an hour.
- While you wait, make the tea. Boil 6-8 cups of water in a kettle. Add your tea to a pitcher and pour over the boiling water. Let steep for 3-5 minutes or as your specific variety instructs. Be careful not to brew anything too strong, otherwise, you may not be able to taste the lilac. Strain out the tea leaves and let cool.
- When the syrup has finished steeping and cooling, strain it into a jar. Press the flowers to release all their flavor and syrup.
- To serve, fill your glasses with ice and pour over the iced tea and splash of the lilac syrup. Garnish with lemon and lilac flowers.
Notes
Use whatever kind of tea you prefer. Just know that a stronger flavored tea will make it more difficult to taste the lilac flavor.
If serving the pitcher all at once, you can simply add the lilac syrup to the pitcher and pour over glasses of ice. If the pitcher sits for a while, though, just give it a stir before pouring as the syrup tends to sit on the bottom.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Infusing
Amanda says
How long would the syrup stay good in the fridge for?
Steve says
Hi Amanda. It should be good for at least two weeks or as long as a month stored in the fridge. If it turns cloudy, then it's a sign it's no longer good. Enjoy!