Turn Violet water made from freshly-picked flowers into Violet lemonade in this fun recipe. It’s tasty too!

Serves 2

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup of Freshly picked Violets (Violas are also a great alternative)
  • 3/4 Cup (180ml) of Boiling Water
  • A large heatproof Jar, jug or bowl (big enough to hold up to 180ml/6 fl. oz. of liquid).
  • 5 tbsp of Honey/Stevia/Sugar (or any sweetener of your choice)
  • Juice of 3 Lemons or 3-5 tbsp of lemon juice (adjust to taste)
  • Sieve or strainer
  • Ice
  • Fresh violet flowers for garnish

Instructions for Violet Lemonade

  1. Add the flowers to a jar, jug or bowl big enough to hold 180ml of fluid.
  2. Boil kettle and carefully measure out 180ml of the boiling water into a measuring jug.
  3. Leave water to stand to cool for a minute or two.
  4. Add the hot water to the violet petals and stir in the Stevia/honey/sugar until dissolved. Mash up the violets with the back of the spoon whilst stirring to help get the best colour out of the flowers.
  5. Steep the flower mixture until cooled to room temperature.
  6. When cooled, stir in lemon juice.
  7. When ready to server strain the mixture through a sieve into a blender with ice and blend. Adding a little ice at a time until your frozen lemonade reaches a slushy consistency.
  8. Pour mixture into glasses and top with a fresh violet.
  9. Enjoy!

Home-grown violets, free from pesticides and soiling by dogs and other pets are best. Edible flowers are offered for sale but only use those labelled for ‘culinary purposes’ as these will have been grown in ways that ensure any pesticide residues are innocuous. Shop or garden centre bought flowering plants should be grown on for at least three months to reduce the risk of pesticide residues and only harvest subsequent flowerings.

When collecting flowers for eating, keep the following in mind;

  • Pick young flowers and buds on dry mornings, before the sun becomes too strong, so the colour and flavours will be intense
  • Use flowers immediately for best results or refrigerate in a plastic bag for a couple of days.
  • Avoid old, faded or dusty flowers from roadsides and areas frequented by livestock or dog walkers
  • Beware of bees and remove small insects from flowers by dipping them in a bowl of cold salt water and dry on paper towel
  • People susceptible to allergy, especially pollen, should not eat flowers
  • Insects and diseases are best dealt with by cutting back and encouraging regrowth as no pesticides are specifically approved for use by home gardeners on edible flowers

Violet lemonade is one of the most popular drinks served at Epcot at Disneyland, so if its good enough for Mickey & co. then why not give it a go.

violet lemonade