Artificial Food Coloring Free Classic Lavender Lemonade
That soft purple hue in this lemonade isn't coming from a bottle of dye — it's all from dried culinary lavender steeped right into a simple homemade syrup. The lavender infuses the sugar water with a delicate floral fragrance and a naturally muted purple-gray tint that looks absolutely stunning in a glass. For anyone trying to avoid synthetic dyes, store-bought flavored lemonades and fruit drinks are a minefield of added colorants, making this from-scratch version a genuinely refreshing alternative. Fresh-squeezed lemon juice brings bright, real citrus flavor that no powder or concentrate can match, and the syrup is easy to dial in — a little more lemon if you like it tart, a splash more water if you want it lighter. The result is a drink that feels fancy enough for a summer party but is honestly simple to pull together at home. Garnished with lemon slices and a sprig of fresh lavender, it's as beautiful as anything you'd order at a café, with zero mystery ingredients on the label.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the lavender syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp dried culinary lavender
For the lemonade
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 6–8 lemons)
- 3 cups cold water
For serving
- ice, for serving
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
- fresh lavender sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine 1 cup water and the sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves, about 2–3 minutes.
- 2
Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the dried lavender, and let the mixture steep for 15–20 minutes, until the syrup is fragrant and tinted a soft purple-gray.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!