Lilac Blossom Lemonade – Part 2 | Dehydrated Blossoms, Gentle Health Benefits & A Year-Round Recipe

Lilac Lemonade with Fresh or Dehydrated Blossoms

Last week, I shared my first recipe for a simple, fragrant Lilac Blossom Lemonade, crafted with fresh flowers from the lush bloom in my region of Québec. That post quickly became a favorite—and this week, I’m revisiting the theme with part two.

Why a follow-up? Because I’ve since discovered that dehydrated lilac blossoms work just as beautifully, and that these delicate flowers hold surprising traditional health properties. This means you can now make this refreshing drink long after lilac season ends—and with a new appreciation for what lilac can offer.

💐 Can You Use Dried Lilac Blossoms? Absolutely!

If you’ve dried your lilacs—either with a dehydrator or by hanging them upside down in a dry, shaded area—you’ve preserved a beautiful floral note for future use.

• Fresh blossoms infuse quickly and have a stronger aroma (10–15 minutes).

• Dried blossoms take a little longer to steep (15–30 minutes) but offer a smoother, mellow floral base.

➡️ The recipe below shows you how to adapt depending on what you have available.

🌸 A Gentle Plant with Subtle Benefits

Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is more than just a pretty face in the garden. While not often highlighted in modern herbalism, it does have a quiet history of use:

• Calming aroma: The natural fragrance helps promote relaxation and reduce stress—think of it as gentle aromatherapy in a glass.

• Digestive aid: Traditionally used to stimulate appetite and relieve mild discomfort.

• Mild antioxidants: Like many edible flowers, lilacs contain flavonoids that support wellness.

While it's no miracle cure, it's a lovely, nature-inspired way to take a mindful pause.

🍋 Recipe: Lilac Blossom Lemonade (Fresh or Dried Flowers)

Yield: About 1.5 L (6 cups)
Hands-on time: 10 min – Steep time: 15–30 min

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp dried lilac blossoms or 1 to 1 ½ cups fresh blossoms (cleaned, no stems)

• 2 cups hot water (not boiling)

• ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from 3 to 4 lemons)

• ⅓ to ½ cup honey, maple syrup, or sugar (to taste)

• 4 cups cold water or sparkling water

• Ice cubes

• Lemon slices, mint leaves, or flowers for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Steep the blossoms
   Place blossoms in a heat-proof bowl. Pour 2 cups of hot (not boiling) water over them.
   Cover and let steep for 15–30 minutes, depending on desired strength.
   Strain the infusion.

2. Sweeten the infusion
   Stir in honey or other sweetener while the infusion is still warm. Mix well to dissolve completely.

3. Assemble the lemonade
   In a large pitcher, combine:

   • the strained lilac infusion

   • the fresh lemon juice

   • 4 cups cold still or sparkling water

   Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.

4. Serve
   Chill or serve immediately over ice. Garnish as desired.

🌿 Final Notes:

• Dried lilac blossoms make it easy to enjoy this floral treat all year long.

• Lilac is more than just a seasonal bloom—it brings a natural sense of calm and beauty.

• A perfect project to share with kids: harvest, steep, and sip the season!

Lilac Blossom Lemonade – Part 2

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Yield: 6-8

Author: Richelle Fortin

Dehydrated Blossoms, Gentle Health Benefits & A Year-Round Recipe

Last week, I shared my first recipe for a simple, fragrant Lilac Blossom Lemonade, crafted with fresh flowers from the lush bloom in my region of Québec. That post quickly became a favorite—and this week, I’m revisiting the theme with part two.

Why a follow-up? Because I’ve since discovered that dehydrated lilac blossoms work just as beautifully, and that these delicate flowers hold surprising traditional health properties. This means you can now make this refreshing drink long after lilac season ends—and with a new appreciation for what lilac can offer.

💐 Can You Use Dried Lilac Blossoms? Absolutely!

If you’ve dried your lilacs—either with a dehydrator or by hanging them upside down in a dry, shaded area—you’ve preserved a beautiful floral note for future use.

Fresh blossoms infuse quickly and have a stronger aroma (10–15 minutes).

Dried blossoms take a little longer to steep (15–30 minutes) but offer a smoother, mellow floral base.

Ingredients

Lilac Blossom Lemonade – Part 2 | Dehydrated Blossoms, Gentle Health Benefits & A Year-Round Recipe

• 2 tbsp dried lilac blossoms or 1 to 1 ½ cups fresh blossoms (cleaned, no stems)
• 2 cups hot water (not boiling)
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from 3 to 4 lemons)
• ⅓ to ½ cup honey, maple syrup, or sugar (to taste)
• 4 cups cold water or sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slices, mint leaves, or flowers for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Steep the blossoms
2. Place blossoms in a heat-proof bowl. Pour 2 cups of hot (not boiling) water over them.
3. Cover and let steep for 15–30 minutes, depending on desired strength.
4. Strain the infusion.
5. Sweeten the infusion
6. Stir in honey or other sweetener while the infusion is still warm. Mix well to dissolve completely.
7. Assemble the lemonade
8. In a large pitcher, combine:
9. the strained lilac infusion
10. the fresh lemon juice
11. 4 cups cold still or sparkling water
12. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.
13. Serve
14. Chill or serve immediately over ice. Garnish as desired.

Notes

Final Notes:

Dried lilac blossoms make it easy to enjoy this floral treat all year long.

Lilac is more than just a seasonal bloom—it brings a natural sense of calm and beauty.

A perfect project to share with kids: harvest, steep, and sip the season!