Lavender Lemonade

Lizaboo75's Note:

Authored By: Ellen Sue Spicer of Hands on Nutrition A truly unique and flavorful way to enjoy your lemonade.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 0 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 16

• 8 cups water
• ¼ cup lavender flowers (dried)
• ¾ cup lemon balm leaves (dried)
• ¼ cup peppermint leaf (dried)
• 3 fresh lemon rind (of 3 lemons)
• maple syrup or brown rice syrup
• ¾ cup raw honey
• 1 ¼ cups fresh lemon juice

Directions:

1. In a glass or stainless steel pot, bring 8 cups water to a boil; turn off heat.
2. Add dry herbs and cover tightly.
3. Let stand 8 hours or overnight; refrigerate when cool.
4. Remove zest of the 3 lemons with paring knife, chop coarsely and combine with 2 1/2 cups water in saucepan.
5. Cover and simmer 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool until lukewarm.
6. Rmove zest and add syrup and honey to the sweet water and lemon juice to make a double strength lemonade base.
7. To serve combine equal parts lemonade base, herbal tea and water adjusting taste as desired.
8. Chill and serve in glasses or a punch bowl garnished with edible flowers, fresh herbs, or lemon slices.
9. Lemonade base and herb te can be stored in covered glass jars for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
10. Serves 15-20.