Lavender Ice

As summer comes to a close it's fun to capture some of the last of the seasons signature flavors in your favorite recipes before Fall's inevitable arrival. Lavender, usually in bloom from June through August has a lovely fragrance and unique taste that can instantly bring to mind fleeting warm days and sunny fragrant fields.

Photos Cpaul, outdoor images taken at Carousel lavender farm

Recently on a summer drive I was delighted to visit Carousel Lavender farm in my native Bucks County. Though I was a little late in the season, the farm didn't disappoint with lovely grounds and a charming shop where I bought the culinary lavender for this recipe

Lavender Sorbet

I've made several recipes with lavender but have never tried a sorbet. An online search found a myriad of recipes most including a similar simple ingredient list starting with sugar, water and culinary lavender. I chose a recipe from the lovely blog Mystical Me and simply added a dash of honey to enhance the flavors 

1 cup sugar

2 cups water
1 tbsp culinary lavender (pesticide free)
1 tbsp honey
2 1/2 tbs lemon juice
2 tbs vodka 
Dissolve water and sugar in medium saucepan
Add lavender and honey and bring to boil
Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes
Remove from heat and cover, letting steep for 10 minutes
pour into a bowl through strainer removing any lavender
stir in lemon and vodka
cover and freeze, check during freezing mashing to break up any icy chunks with fork
Once frozen can be popped in blender for smoother texture if desired

Serve in stemware for a simple but elegant presentation 
Sugar dusted sweets and a french fizzy drink are perfect accompaniments

For more lavender ideas visit our post: lavender-sweet-lavender

Wishing everyone a Happy End of Summer
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