Googie’s Kitchen presents Lavender Limeade

Lavender is normally associated with essential oil and hot baths but not cooking. So when I saw it on a menu at the beginning of the year I was really intrigued as to how it tasted. The dish I was served was duck with lavender and it was delicious. It started me thinking about how else I could use lavender in my cooking. I knew that you can make sweets with it but I wanted to know what else I could put this flower in.

It’s officially a fragrant flower but it’s also an edible herb. There are many health benefits to eating lavender. It is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. These can help to heal minor burns and bug bites. Plus, research suggests that it may be useful for treating anxiety, insomnia, depression and restlessness. It can also help with digestive issues such as vomiting, nausea, intestinal gas and abdominal swelling. Amazingly including this beautiful flower in your diet can help with your daily intake of vitamins and minerals.

As it’s so good for you I decided to make it into a cooling limeade as the weather has been seriously hot recently in the UK. It’s an acquired taste but I really enjoyed this soft drink. If you love Parma Violets then this is the drink for you. It definitely has a flowery flavour. The lavender and honey are sweet, but the lime adds a sourness the drink needs. It’s a refreshing drink that help to calm the body and the mind. Below is a video and recipe for you.

What’s your favourite soft drink on a warm summers day? And please no cold coke!! Let me know in the comments below and please don’t forget to like, comment or subscribe to my channel. Thank you. xxx

Makes 2 litres

Equipment

• Large Saucepan
• Colander
• Sieve
• Serving jug

Ingredients

• Lavender 6 – 8 springs
• Lime x 4
• Water x 2 litres
• Honey x 4 tbsps

Method

• Add the water to the large saucepan.
• Next add in the lavender, juice of the limes and honey.
• Put the pan on a high heat and bring to the boil.
• Turn the heat down and leave to simmer for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes remove from the heat and leave to cool.
• Put the colander on top of the jug.
• Once the limeade has cooled slightly pour through the colander.
• Now leave to cool completely and place in the fridge.
• When cold serve and enjoy.

Lavender Limeade is a lovely drink to enjoy on a warm summers day. I felt it has a calm, soothing effect on my body. We have just started to grow lavender in the back garden and I love the smell. Although it does make me feel sleepy which can be good at certain times of the day. The drink will keep in the fridge for at least a few days so it doesn’t have to be drunk all at once. However you decide to enjoy this drink, as always, please enjoy.