Lavender Coconut Lemonade

Something a little bit fancy! I had great fun making this drink. It does take a bit of work, but the lavender sugar syrup will make you loads of drinks and you can always leave off the toasted coconut rim if you can’t be bothered.

Ingredients:

(for the lavender sugar syrup)

1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp dried lavender or 3-4 fresh lavender buds
Violet or pink food colouring (optional)

(to mix)

Fresh lemon juice
Coconut water
Soda water

(for the glass rim)

1/4 cup desiccated coconut

Method:

Step One: Make the lavender sugar syrup

* Put sugar, water & lavender in a small pot, bring to a boil on high heat and boil for 1 minute
* Remove from heat and let cool
* Remove lavender. If using dried – strain syrup through a fine sieve into a bowl. If using fresh – lift buds out and squeeze tightly to extract all the liquid from inside the bud – these last drops will be full of flavour!
* Add a few drops of food colouring if using

Step Two: Prepare the glasses 

*  Lay a sheet of baking paper on an oven tray, spread out desiccated coconut and roast in a moderate oven until lightly browned. Finely chop then lay out on a small plate
* Pour a small amount of fresh lemon juice or water onto a separate small plate
* Dip the rim of your chosen drinking glasses first into the lemon juice/water, then into the toasted coconut

Step Three: Mix your drinks

* You can play with the quantities depending on how sweet/tart you like it but for two drinks I suggest adding to a jug…
* 3 tbsp lavender sugar syrup
* 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
* 1/2 cup coconut water
*  3/4 cup soda water

Step Four: Pour

* Gently pour your drink into each prepared glass

Enjoy!