Lilac syrup

Ingredients

1 cup Lilacs

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

Instructions

~Harvest the Lilacs.

~In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil while stirring until all of the sugar has dissolved.

~Add the lilac florets, stir gently, and cover. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.

~Remove the pan from the heat, keep it covered, and wait. As it cools and rests, the lilacs will add their sweet flavor to the syrup. The time it takes to steep will depend on the variety of lilacs and how intense you want the flavor. Since it is a delicate flower, it will take 3 to 8 hours to fully infuse.

Straining

~Pour the syrup into a fine-mesh strainer resting on a large bowl. Allow it to sit for a few minutes and shake it occasionally so more of the syrup filters through the flowers and drips into the bowl.

~After straining, pour the finished lilac syrup into a glass container with a tight-sealing lid. Store it in the refrigerator, where it should keep for a week or two.

Storing

~Refrigerate the lilac simple syrup in a well-sealed jar or airtight container for about two weeks. Check for spoilage before using.

~Lilac simple syrup can be stored longer in an airtight container in the freezer or you can also put in ice cube trays and freeze. The syrup will be good for up to 6 months.