How to Make Lavender Extract
Make Your Own Lavender Extract
Lavender Extract is one of our favorite kitchen and apothecary essentials and a great way to preserve your fresh blossoms for projects throughout the year. Making your own lavender extract using fresh lavender flowers from your garden is a great way to make the most of your harvest. By using fresh flowers, you’ll be able to extract the maximum amount of flavor and aroma from the lavender, resulting in a high-quality extract that’s bursting with fragrance. Once you have your homemade extract, you can use it to add a floral touch to baked goods like cakes, cookies, and scones, or to flavor beverages like tea, lemonade, or cocktails. You can even use it to create your own homemade beauty products, such as soaps, lotions, and bath bombs, for a touch of luxury in your daily routine.
How to use Lavender Extract
Lavender extract is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of ways. Here are a few examples:
- Baked goods: Add a few drops of lavender extract to your favorite baked goods such as cookies, cakes, and muffins to give them a floral and slightly sweet flavor.
- Beverages: Add a few drops of lavender extract to your tea or lemonade for a refreshing and soothing drink.
- Ice cream: Add lavender extract to your homemade ice cream recipe for a unique and delicious flavor.
- DIY beauty products: Lavender extract can be used in DIY beauty products such as soaps, lotions, and bath bombs to provide a relaxing and calming aroma.
- Aromatherapy: Add a few drops of lavender extract to a diffuser to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere in your home.
It’s important to note that lavender extract is very concentrated, so it’s best to use it sparingly. Start with a small amount and adjust the quantity to your liking.
Lavender Extract
Equipment
- Glass jar with a tight-fitting lid The size of the jar for making lavender extract will depend on the amount of lavender flowers you're using and how much extract you want to make. However, as a general rule, you should choose a jar that is big enough to hold the flowers with some extra space to allow for the alcohol to cover the flowers completely.For example, if you're using 1 cup of lavender flowers, a jar with a capacity of at least 2 cups would be appropriate. If you're making a larger batch, you may need a bigger jar or multiple jars. Just make sure that the jar you use has a tight-fitting lid and is made of glass to prevent any chemical reactions with the extract.
- Strainer or cheesecloth
- Dark glass dropper bottle for storing the finished extract
Ingredients
- Fresh or dried lavender flowers
- High-proof alcohol such as vodka rum, or brandy
Instructions
- Start by cleaning the lavender flowers to remove any dirt or debris. If you're using fresh lavender, make sure to remove any stems.
- Place the lavender flowers into a glass jar, filling it about 1/3 to 1/2 full.
- Pour enough alcohol over the lavender flowers to completely cover them. Use a high-proof alcohol such as vodka, rum, or brandy, as it will extract the most flavor and aroma from the lavender.
- Screw on the lid tightly and shake the jar to combine the ingredients.
- Store the jar in a cool, dark place for at least a week, shaking it once a day to mix the ingredients.
- After a week, strain the lavender extract through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, discarding the flowers.
- Store the finished lavender extract in a dark glass dropper bottle. It will keep for up to a year if stored in a cool, dark place.
Leave a Reply