Lavender Lemonade: Sunshine, Lavender, and Nana JuJu

Some recipes begin with an ingredient. Others begin with a memory.

For me, Meyer lemons will always remind me of my grandma, Nana JuJu. Certain flavors still have a way of bringing her close again. She was spunky, kind, and one of the funniest people you could ever meet. Much like a Meyer lemon, she carried brightness wherever she went. She was sweet, full of personality, and just tart enough to keep everyone laughing and on their toes.

This lavender lemonade is a small tribute to her. The Meyer lemons bring warmth and sunshine, while the lavender adds a soft touch of whimsy. Together, they create something cheerful, comforting, and a little unexpected. All qualities that remind me of Nana JuJu.

There is something magical about the way food keeps the people we have lost close to us. A familiar flavor can open a door to another time, bringing back a voice, a laugh, or a moment we did not realize we had tucked away. Having a Meyer lemon tree of my own feels like keeping a small piece of Nana JuJu close, with every new blossom and bright yellow lemon carrying a little reminder of her. Every time I slice into a Meyer lemon and smell its sweet citrus perfume, I think of her.

Perhaps that is its own kind of kitchen magic. We gather the people we love into our recipes, stir their stories into our bowls, and carry a little piece of them to the table. The people we lose may no longer sit beside us, but their love continues to appear in the smallest and most unexpected places.

So this is more than a pitcher of lemonade. It is sunshine, lavender, and a generous splash of Nana JuJu.

Meyer Lemon Lavender Lemonade

Makes about 6 cups

Ingredients

• 1 cup freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice, about 5 to 7 lemons

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender

• 4 cups cold water

• Ice for serving

• Meyer lemon slices for garnish, optional

• Fresh lavender sprigs for garnish, optional

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Instructions

1. Add the sugar and 1 cup of water to a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar completely dissolves.

2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the culinary lavender. Let it steep for 8 to 10 minutes. Lavender is powerful, so avoid steeping it for too long or it may become bitter or taste soapy.

3. Pour the syrup through a fine mesh strainer to remove the lavender buds. Set the syrup aside and allow it to cool.

4. Pour the freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice into a large pitcher. Add the cooled lavender syrup and 4 cups of cold water, then stir everything together.

5. Taste the lemonade and adjust it as needed. Add more water if you would like it lighter, more lemon juice for a brighter citrus flavor, or a little additional sugar if you prefer it sweeter.

6. Refrigerate the lemonade until chilled. Serve it over plenty of ice with Meyer lemon slices and a sprig of lavender.

   
   

A Note from the Bookwyrm’s Kitchen

Meyer lemons are naturally sweeter and less acidic than traditional lemons, so this recipe begins with 3/4 cup of sugar. Since every batch of lemons is different, taste the lemonade before adding any additional sweetness.

Be sure to use lavender labeled culinary or food grade. Decorative lavender may have been treated with chemicals and should not be used in food or drinks.

Pour yourself a glass, find a sunny reading spot, and open your current book. May every sip be a reminder that the best kinds of magic are often found in simple things. A good story, a remembered laugh, a beloved grandmother, and a pitcher filled with sunshine.