Chicken Librarian Makes: Lilac Syrup

Hello Friends! Boy do I have a fun one for you! It's lilac season here in the Northeast and one of my favorite things to make is lilac syrup. It's so easy and so yummy. So yesterday when I was thinking about cutting some lilacs for the house, I thought 'why not show your friends how to make lilac syrup. On Facebook Live!'. So that's exactly what I did. I did a very impromptu live video this morning and I wanted to share it with you all here as well. So...as always, video is below, then recipe, then any other information (like what to do with the syrup once it's made!). So...without further ado! I present to you: Lilac Syrup!

https://youtu.be/TXxexpEr8gE

Lilac Simple Syrup
Ingredients:
3 cups granulated sugar
3 cups water
3 cups tightly packed organic lilac blossoms flowers only, no stem or green bits attached

Instructions:

1. Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring every few minutes.
2. Allow the syrup to boil for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes.
3. Place the lilac blossoms in a large heat-proof pot. Pour the syrup over the blossoms, then stir to make sure they're covered in syrup. Place the lid on the pot and let the mixture infuse for 2 to 3 hours. Take care to not let them infuse for much longer, as the sugar in the syrup combined with the heat can speed-start the decomposition process of the flowers, and the delicate aroma and flavor of the lilacs can turn into the smell and taste of an old vase of flowers, unfortunately.
4. Pace a fine mesh sieve over a large bowl and pour the syrup and lilac mixture into it, straining out the blossoms. Compost the blossoms in your yard or bin. Pour the syrup into clean glass containers and seal tightly.
5. Refrigerate the syrup, for up to 2 months.

It's that easy friends! But wait! What do you do with the syrup now? Well, see this list below for some fun things to infuse with lilac syrup:
1. Add to an adult beverage for a nice sweet, floral note. Think vodka base with some lemon.
2. Add to lemonade or iced tea. Just remember that you are using a sweetener so cute back on your regular sweetener so you don't over do it!
3. Add a little to a pie.
4. Bake with it! Add some to your cake or baked goods, but remember that you are adding extra liquid and extra sweetener so make sure you cut bake your liquid(s) and sweeteners to accommodate this extra yumminess.

And if you're like me and you don't have a lilac bush, or two, on your property try rooting your own. Just take a cutting from a lilac bush, make sure it's the new growth from this year, and put it in some soil. See what happens. I have a cutting in one of my seed trays with just some seed starting mix. It can take up to a couple of months to see new growth so keep watching it. Keep it watered as well. Put it on top of the fridge, give it some water, and let it be for the summer. Then see what you get come this fall. I'll keep you posted on mine!

But here's what you've been waiting for: the final product! Notice that it is not a clear liquid. That's okay. Just be sure to keep that in mind when adding it to your beverages, baked goods, or however you use it. Speaking of, what are you planning on making with it? I need to know! HEHE.

'til next time
-k
xoxo