Written by Susan — Quit drinking at 37 • Sober since 1998 • Sharing what actually works

Written by Susan — Quit drinking at 37 • Sober since 1998 • Sharing what actually works

Fragrant Lavender Lemonade Mocktail Recipe

This lavender lemonade mocktail combines tart lemon juice with lavender syrup and cold water. It’s a refreshing alcohol-free drink with a gentle floral flavor, ready to mix in about five minutes when your syrup is already prepared.

Make a pitcher for four generous servings or six smaller glasses. Start with the suggested amount of syrup, then taste before adding more—lavender should complement the lemon without overwhelming it.

Ingredients

Makes: 4 generous servings or 6 smaller servings

Preparation time: About 5 minutes with prepared syrup; allow extra time for making and cooling homemade syrup

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup lavender syrup, store-bought or homemade, adjusted to taste
• 4 cups cold water
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slices for garnish, optional
• Fresh culinary lavender sprigs for garnish, optional

For the Homemade Lavender Syrup

Makes: About 1 cup of syrup, enough for approximately two pitchers

• ½ cup water
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender

Use lavender sold for culinary use. Garden-center plants, decorative dried lavender, and lavender essential oil aren’t substitutes for food-grade lavender.

How to Make Your Lavender Lemonade Mocktail

1. Make the syrup if needed. Put half a cup of water and half a cup of sugar into a small saucepan. Heat gently, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
2. Steep the lavender. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the dried culinary lavender. Steep for 5 minutes, then taste a cooled spoonful. For a stronger flavor, steep for another few minutes, tasting as you go.
3. Strain and cool. Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the lavender buds. Let it cool before mixing your lemonade. If using prepared syrup, start with the next step.
4. Mix the lemonade. Put the lemon juice, half a cup of lavender syrup, and cold water into a large pitcher. Stir thoroughly.
5. Adjust to taste. Add more syrup a tablespoon at a time if you prefer a sweeter, more floral drink. Add a little extra water if the lemon or lavender tastes too strong.
6. Serve over ice. Fill glasses with ice and pour in the lemonade. Add a lemon slice and a small culinary lavender sprig if you like.

Adjust It to Your Taste

Prefer less sweetness? Start with a quarter cup of lavender syrup, then taste and add more if needed. This also gives the drink a lighter lavender flavor.

Want more sweetness without more lavender? Add a little plain simple syrup instead of extra lavender syrup.

Prefer a gentler drink? Add more cold water a little at a time until the lemon and floral flavors suit you.

Want a fizzy version? Replace some or all of the cold water with chilled plain sparkling water. Add it just before serving and stir gently to keep the bubbles.

Keeping it simple? Garnish with lemon alone, or skip the garnishes altogether. The lavender syrup provides the floral flavor.

Making It Ahead

Mix the lemon juice, lavender syrup, and still water ahead of time. Keep the lemonade covered in the refrigerator and stir before serving.

Store any leftover homemade syrup separately in a clean, covered container in the refrigerator and use within one week.

Add ice and garnishes just before serving. If making the sparkling version, add the sparkling water at the last minute.

Explore More Easy Mocktail Recipes →

Frequently Asked Questions