Delicate and aromatic lilacs are one of my favorite flowers. For the first two and a half decades of my life, their sweet blooms were a yearly herald of warm weather, longer days, and an abundance of fresh fruits & veggies.
While I’m not living where lilacs grow anymore, my love for this plant has only deepened. Absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder— in this case anyway.
Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) aren’t just gorgeous and enchantingly aromatic, their flowers are also edible, adding spring magic to drinks, baked goods, desserts & more.
To harvest, pluck the blossoms from their stems. It’s best to pick lilacs in the morning, after the morning dew has dried from their petals, but before the sun gets too high in the sky. Be sure to only use flowers from bushes that haven’t been sprayed by pesticides, and avoid bushes that grow on the roadside.
To start working with lilacs, simply sprinkle the raw flowers over salads or use them to adorn cakes. Try making lilac syrup, lilac sugar, or lilac infused honey. These are quick and simple recipes that highlight this lovely flower and are very versatile. The infused syrup, honey, and sugar can be used to sweeten tea, cocktails, and lemonade or added to a number of sweet treats. Candied lilacs are also easy to make and can be used to add an extra special touch to baked goods.
If you’re looking for a unique lilac inspired appetizer for your next spring get together blackberry lilac goat cheese spread may be just what you’re hoping for.
Jar some lilac jelly to eat immediately, give as gifts, or save for wintertime to bring the essence of spring to those cold, dark months. Lilac vinegar, (a recipe excerpted from Kirsten Shockey’s book, Homebrewed Vinegar) is another intriguing way to preserve this spring flower.
Lilac Drinks
Lilac lends floral notes to a number of spring beverages. After a long walk, or a day spent spring cleaning or working in the garden, enjoying a lilac infused beverage may be just what you need to relax. Sip on some lilac water or this lilac iced tea. Lilac lemonade is also nice and refreshing.
If you enjoy partaking in a cocktail (or two) lilac is a lovely addition to a number of alcoholic drinks. Try a raspberry lilac martinior a lilac mojito. Gin lovers will appreciate a lilac gin fizz, or this lilac Bee’s Knees cocktail, which is made with both lilac infused gin and lilac syrup for extra floral flavor.
Lilac liqueur can be added to various boozy beverages, or could be bottled for a sweet, seasonal gift. Making lilac mead or lilac wineare tasty options for preserving lilac blooms.
Lilac Desserts
There are numerous delightful options for incorporating lilacs into sweet treats. Make lilac & strawberry white chocolate as a Mother’s Day gift or to enjoy during spring hikes and picnics.
The blossoms can be added to cookies, like lilac shortbread cookies or lilac madeleine cookies. Cakes made with lilacs are lovely for spring festivities. Try lilac honey cake, lilac cupcakes with lilac buttercream frosting, or lilac dream cheesecake.
Lilac doughnuts or lilac scones are wonderful addition to brunch, or as an accompaniment to your morning cup of coffee or tea. Bring lilac cream tarts, lilac meringues with lemon curd, or lilac & lavender cream tiramisu to spring gatherings to delight friends & family with a floral infused treat.
Cool down with lilac ice cream or lilac popsicles on warm, sunny spring days. Lilac pudding or lilac jello are also great options for floral desserts.
In addition to being edible, lilac is also a wonderful for the skin. Whip up a lilac toneror make this springtime infused witch hazelwith lilacs and other springtime plants to help soothe a variety of skin woes.
Lilac season is short, but incredibly sweet. There are many ways to make the most of these lovely blossoms while they last.
