The Three L's: Lavender, Lemon Verbena, and Lime

My health food market has been carrying more dried florals and I've decided to take advantage. I love the smell of lavender. I could get lost in it.  I made scones, I've been making hot tea, now I'm venturing into lavender lemon limeade.  This is the perfect drink for summer. Not only has lavender always smelled like summer to me, the lemon and lime give the perfect citrus Jaw tingle to make me forget the heat. 

You know what the heat in southwest Missouri is like in August, right? An old college roommate of mine from Calgary came to visit several years ago for the frist time. She asked me if she should bring any long sleeves since by the end of August it's beginning to cool down in the evenings up north.  I tried not to laugh in her face as I told her that naked is good for late August in Missouri.  When she deplaned the first thing she said to me was "Wow. I can feel the air moving into my lungs. Is that the humidity?  It's like being at the indoor pool only without the smell of chlorine."

That sums it up.  With this citrus cooler you can at least drink your liquid at a cool temp rather than breathing it in at 100+ degrees during this last hellish month.

Weekend Herb Blogging:  Lavender & Lemon Verbena Limeade

Check out Kalyn's Round up of WHB at Kalyn's Kitchen.

Lavender and Lemon Verbena Limeade

1 tsp dried Lavender blossoms

1 tsp dried Lemon verbena

1 cup fresh water

2 whole Lime

4 tsp Sugar (or 3 tsp Splenda)

1. Bring water to boil. Take off heat and add lavender and lemon verbena. Steep until cool.

2.  Add juice and zest of 2 fresh limes and the sugar.  Stir until all dissolved.

3.  Strain infusion into two medium glasses filled with ice.  Garnish with lime slice

Note: Of course you can add more sugar or even club soda. I prefer tart to sweet so I keep mine on the pucker side and I was in the mood for flat texture rather than carbonation.

Comments

[kalyn]

I don't understand how you can do it with the humidity. The few times I went to that area in the summer I was overwhelmed with it. This was mostly in Kansas City, where I went twice for meetings. This looks like a delicious way to cool down. I grew lemon verbena for the first time this year. Love the smell of it.

[Jeff]

I'm a carbination type of guy :)

[sher]

I lived in the Midwest and South for years--so I know about humidity so thick you can cut it with a knife. That looks very refreshing.

[Glenna]

Kalyn--I hear you. I lived in Utah for a couple of years and the lack of humidity was very noticeable to me. I liked it in ways but my hair and skin missed it in others. I think I bought conditioner and moisturizer by the gallon then.

Jeff--You WOULD be! :-)

Sher--Yes! You used to live very close to where I do.

[coffeepot]

That looks very cool. I have never used Lavender.

[Glenna]

Coffeepot--I hadn't either before I made the scones and limeade but I will now. It also inspires me to grow and use more florals. It was so easy and tasty.

[Nor'Easter]

I have the finishing touch for your beautiful beverage! For many years, I've frozen lavender flowers into ice cubes to use in lemonade. They look wonderful, and the lavender scent is amazing. I think they would be a lovely addition...

[Glenna]

Yes! That's a fabulous idea. I'll have to do that next time. Thanks!

[helene marquez]

so how do you order lavender in bulk for tea, and the lemon verbena. want to order both, how, where how much????

[HELENE MARQUEZ]

so how do I order lavender in bulk and lemon verbena, where, how much, from whom. need same immediately.

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[julia C. batista]

I love you lemon verbena recipe.I did it last summer and it was delicious;but I had to subtitud the lemon verbena with lenon oil.Where can I get the lemon verbena.

[Glenna Muse]

Julia,

I got the lemon verbena from a local health food store that has lots of dried local herbs and
flowers..

Good luck!

Glenna