Lavender berry juice

Lavender berry juice is a delightful and aromatic beverage that combines the floral notes of lavender with the sweetness of mixed berries. Here's a simple recipe to make lavender berry juice at home:

Ingredients:

- 1 cup mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)

- 2-3 tablespoons dried culinary lavender buds (or fresh lavender flowers if available)

- Water

- Optional: Sweetener (such as honey or sugar)

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the mixed berries and dried lavender buds.

2. Add enough water to cover the berries and lavender.

3. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Allow it to simmer for about 5-10 minutes, or until the berries are soft and the lavender has infused into the liquid.

4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly.

5. Once cooled, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the berries and lavender buds. Press down on the solids with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.

6. If desired, sweeten the lavender berry juice with honey or sugar to taste, stirring until the sweetener is completely dissolved.

7. Let the juice cool completely, then transfer it to a pitcher or jar.

8. Refrigerate the lavender berry juice for at least an hour to chill before serving.

9. Serve the lavender berry juice over ice, garnished with fresh berries or a sprig of lavender if desired. Enjoy your fragrant and refreshing homemade juice!

Note: You can adjust the sweetness level of the juice according to your preference by adding more or less sweetener. Additionally, feel free to experiment with different berry combinations or add a squeeze of lemon juice for a hint of acidity.