Lilac Water! Water infused with lilac blossoms calms and restores the spirit. Perfect for weddings or celebrations, or a simple lovely way to celebrate spring.
Meet the most delicious glass of water you will ever taste- Lilac Water! My friend Tonia, who shared her recipe with us for Wild Rose Petal Jam a couple of years ago, introduced me to this, and I’m totally hooked. It’s like drinking a glass of spring. Tuck a lilac blossom into your next pitcher of water and let its essence infuse you. Perfect for special gatherings like weddings or showers, or simply keep a pitcher full in the fridge for everyday use. It will delight!
Tonia and I go way back. We’ve been friends since high school and opened a vegetarian restaurant together, called Mizuna, here in Spokane, back in the 90’s. Currently she lives on San Juan Island with her husband Mike and 2 beautiful kids, Zalee and Fin. Always an inspiration to me, creativity seems to flow out of her wherever she lands. The island provides her with ample room to explore and forage in the wild, and she loves to bring her beautiful treasures home and use them in the kitchen, both culinarily and medicinally. Her wild rose petal jam is magical.
Tonia first discovered her love for lilac water last spring. “It tastes like the essence of spring and it’s hard not to feel complete delight when drinking. I feel a deep connection to the plant when I drink it- like it is now living inside me. It makes me feel a higher connection to all of life.” She’ll talk to it like a friend. “Hi beauty, you are looking amazing today. Thank you for sharing your sweet nectar with me.”
And when you try this, you will want to talk to it and thank it too. Such a sweet gift.
Lilacs have a history rooted in ancient Greek mythology. Pan, the god of forests was head-over-heals in love with a nymph named Syringa. One day while he was pursuing her through the forest, she disguised herself by turning herself into a lilac shrub. To Pan’s surprise, he could not find Syringa, but found the shrub. Because the lilac shrub consists of hollow reeds, he cut the reeds and created the first pan pipe. The scientific name for lilac is Syringa vulgaris, and the name is derived from the Greek word “syrinks” which means pipe. The Arabic word for this flower is “lilak” which refers to the light purple color of its flowers.
The Celtics regarded lilacs as “magical” because of their incredibly intoxicating fragrance.
The giving of a lilac in the Victorian Age, was meant to be a reminder of an old love.
In Russia, holding a sprig of lilac over a newborn would bring wisdom.
In the language of flowers, lilacs symbolize wisdom, young love and remembrance, often evoking long forgotten emotions and memories.
Lilacs are flowering, woody shrubs and small trees, in the olive family with beautiful fragrant blossoms that range in color from white, to pink, to magenta, to lilac, to violet, to purple and to deep blues. Their leaves are heart-shaped and their flowers are oval or cone-shaped clusters of four-petaled blossoms. If you are lucky, you may find one with five petals … remember to make a wish.
Here in the spring, starting around Mother’s Day, the air is infused with their sweet scent. Our town, Spokane, is very appropriately nicknamed, The Lilac City, and it’s easy to see why. They are everywhere! In lovely Manito Park, there is a whole section devoted to them, the Lilac Garden, where each variety has its own particular scent.
Their sweet scent naturally soothes, relaxes, calms, and uplifts the spirit.
With each sip, anxiety melts away.
Such a simple way to infuse our busy days with a few moments of pleasure and beauty.
And a sweet reminder of the seasons and cycles of nature.
Simply place a lilac blossom ( free of any pesticides) in a quart of water for a few hours or overnight. Feel free to refill the water and use the same blossom a few times.
Lilacs are in full bloom right now – only here for a few more weeks.
Don’t let the season go by without trying this, and once you do, you’ll be hooked too!
Let its essence infuse you with calm and serenity.
Such a simple way to celebrate the season! Thanks for sharing Tonia!
Lilac Water
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Category: drink
- Method: infusion
- Cuisine: northwest
Description
Water infused with lilac blossoms- a delicious, floral feast for the senses- perfect for special occasion like weddings or showers. Or store in the fridge at home for a taste of spring.
Ingredients
- 1 quart water
- 1 lilac blossom ( pesticide free)
Instructions
Place a lilac blossom in a quart of water.
Let it infuse for a few hours or overnight either at room temperature or in the fridge.
Refill and feel free to use the blossom more than once.
Inhale!
Nutrition
- Calories: 0
Keywords: lilac water, infused water, blossom water, water infusions, lilac recipes, recipes with lilacs,
I grew up in Spokane and of course LOVED lilacs but only yesterday heard that you could infuse them so easily in water. I now live in Holland and was telling my sister (who is in Spokane) about doing this and quickly found something on the internet to send to her so she could do it herself. And that was this website – and then Heidi said you looked familiar and we noticed you live in Spokane!! How amazing!! I have been foraging alot this year and so I’m looking forward to trying out your recipes. I ate at Mizuma when it first opened – maybe you were the chef! Thanks for this beautiful website – I’m really going to enjoy it.
What!? Just what I need now! Are they edible too?
I haven’t tried eating them, but I hear they are edible.
Hi ! Is this water drinkable or this recipe just for aesthetic purposes ?
Totally drinkable. Just use lilacs not treated with pesticides.
I’m curious if anyone has tried leaving them in the water for several days? I’d like to make some for guests but wondering if I leave it in the fridge a few days before their arrival it will still be good when they arrive.
I have. I leave it in the water in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can you dry the flowers to use later ?
I don’t see why not, but haven’t tried, so not sure.
I was wondering if you know anyone who would send lilac blossom in the mail.
They do not grow in Phoenix, Arizona.
Hi Bernadette, If I were home I would- but I’m in California. You need to experience this!
Awesome recipe. I was at a local ( COLORADO) Farmers Market yesterday and sampled Lilac Water. Who knew ? ? It was wonderful. I will be enjoying our lilacs in a whole new way. Thank You ?
I Love lilacs and yours look so pretty in the jar and glasses.They would also make a beautiful centerpiece floating in water. Not sure about drinking the water…
★★★★★