Lavender Lemonade

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

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• 8  cups water
• 1⁄4 cup  lavender flowers (dried)
• 3⁄4 cup lemon balm leaves (dried)
• 1⁄4 cup  peppermint leaf (dried)
• 3  fresh lemon rind (of 3 lemons)
•  maple syrup or   brown rice syrup
• 3⁄4 cup raw honey
• 1 1⁄4 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.