Traditional Sweet Violet Syrup
A simple and beautiful syrup that is easy to make and gives amazing results. My front garden is covered in little sweet violets every spring and although I crystallise them or cut them for the spring dinner table, I recently found this old recipe for making violet syrup, which is fabulous. So, I have been busy making Sweet Violet Syrup this year! The syrup is great when added to icings and butter cream for cakes; and is wonderful when used in beverages too. Only a small amount is needed to add to sparkling wine or lemonade for a delectable and elegant drink. I have also added the syrup for flavouring to homemade macaroons, French Macarons. Why not make a homemade violet ice cream, or add this to junkets and blancmanges, the list is endless! NB: Six handfuls are about 3 ounces. A bottle of this makes a great gift for a foodie friend, add a label with serving ideas; one teaspoon is usually enough for most recipes.
DIRECTIONS
- You need a bain-marie for this recipe and a sterilised bottle.
- Remove all of the green, stalks and leaves from the violets and put the flowers into a non-reactive metal pan or in the top of a bain-marie. Pour the boiling water over the flowers, cover with a lid and allow to infuse overnight or for 24 hours.
- The next day, add the sugar to the water and violets. Bring the water in the bottom of the bain-marie to a boil and keep stirring the violet mixture until the sugar has completely dissolved. Keep the water at a rolling, but gentle boil. If you don’t have a bain-marie, place the sauce pan on top of larger pan with water underneath.
- Strain, bottle and label the violet syrup and keep in a cool place, or the fridge for up to 6 months. Use in cakes, scones, pancakes, icings, butter creams, ice creams, biscuits (cookies), beverages, cream puddings etc.