Summer Herbs for Summer Drinks!

Summer Herbs… enhance and flavor your drinks!

In late July herbs are plentiful in many home gardens… those culinary herbs find their way into lots of casseroles and salads, but have you added them to your summer drinks?   Lots of possibilities await you… give your herbs a dip into an icy concoction and notice the subtle flavors the herbs impart to your favorite drink.

This afternoon I experimented with lavender blossoms (Lavendula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ is blooming nicely in my garden—smells good—tastes great!)   Lavender lemonade should be made ahead so it can be fully chilled before serving:

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Lavender Lemonade

Two cups water + one-third cup white sugar (bring to a boil; remove from heat).
Add   8 – 10 sprigs of freshly picked lavender buds (no foliage please).
Cover and allow to sit one hour; this will extract flavors from lavender buds.   Remove sprigs of lavender with small strainer.   Add this lovely liquid into one quart of your favorite lemonade.   Add ice and fresh lemon slices; chill.

Variation:  Add the lavender liquid to one quart lemon iced tea.  Enjoy!

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Be creative—think SWEET—think SAVORY.    Limeade with Mojito mint… lemonade enhanced with lemon basil.  Try it… you’ll LIKE it!!

SATURDAY  (AUG 3, 2013) visit LAMMSCAPES!  for our “Sweets & Treats” garden tea party.   We’ll show you how to find refreshing goodness in your garden— please join us for tea!    LAMMSCAPES!   2708 Sherman Road, Jackson WI  53037

M. Lynn Schmid,   Certified Master Gardener
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture