Lavender Water: Recipe, Ratio and How to Make It

Lavender water is drinking water infused with culinary lavender; this recipe takes 2 hours 5 minutes and yields 1 litre, or about 4¼ cups. To explore another ratio, use the ai infused water generator.

What is lavender water?

Lavender water is a floral-tasting infusion made by steeping edible lavender in water, then removing the sprigs. It is one way to make herb infused water without adding sugar.

This recipe is for drinking, not for lavender-scented cosmetic water or essential-oil mixtures. Choose fresh lavender sold or labelled for culinary use, and make sure it has not been treated with pesticides intended for ornamental plants.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

Use about 2 fresh lavender sprigs for every 1 litre of water. Sprig sizes vary, so treat the weight and cup measurement as approximate; you can dilute the finished drink if the floral flavour is too strong.

Ingredients

• 1,000 ml water (about 4¼ cups)
• 2 fresh culinary lavender sprigs, about 5 g (roughly ¼ cup, loosely packed)

You will also need a clean covered pitcher and a strainer. The recipe makes about 1 litre of lavender water; the final amount may vary slightly when you remove the sprigs.

How do you make lavender water?

Prep time: 5 minutes
Steeping time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Yield: About 1 litre (4¼ cups)

1. Rinse the culinary lavender sprigs gently under running water.
2. Add the lavender and water to a clean pitcher, then cover it.
3. Refrigerate the pitcher for 2 hours to let the flavour infuse.
4. Strain out the lavender and serve the water chilled, or return it to the refrigerator in a covered container.

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How long should lavender water steep?

Steep lavender water in the refrigerator for 2–4 hours for a fuller flavour. The recipe uses 2 hours; taste it then and leave it longer if you prefer a more pronounced infusion.

Lavender can taste overpowering when too much is used. If that happens, strain the water and dilute it with more drinking water. For the next batch, try smaller sprigs or a shorter steep.

How should you store lavender water?

Keep lavender water covered and refrigerated. Drink it within 24 hours for the best flavour, and discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

Do not leave the pitcher at room temperature for more than a few hours. Use a clean container each time you make a batch, and avoid putting used sprigs back into stored water after serving.

How can you vary lavender water?

Keep the lavender as the main flavour and make small additions so the drink does not become too strong.

Lavender and lemon

Add a slice of lemon for a brighter taste. Citrus pith can become bitter after about 4 hours, so remove the slice by then or remove the peel before steeping.

Lavender and mint

Add a few rinsed mint leaves with the lavender for a fresher flavour. Strain them out along with the lavender before serving.

What are the benefits of lavender water?

Lavender water can make plain water more appealing, which may help you drink enough fluids. Unsweetened lavender water is also very low in calories when the herbs are steeped and removed rather than eaten.

There is no established evidence that this drink treats anxiety or provides a special detox effect. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification, while the lungs and gut help eliminate waste; lavender water supports hydration, not a special cleanse.

Who should be careful with lavender water?

Avoid lavender water if you know you are allergic to lavender or another ingredient in the pitcher. Do not add lavender essential oil or products intended for fragrance or skin care to drinking water.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or want to give lavender water regularly to a child, ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure whether it is appropriate. Seek urgent medical help for trouble breathing or swelling after consuming it.

Frequently asked questions

Does lavender water contain caffeine?

Plain lavender water made with water and culinary lavender is caffeine-free. That may change if you add tea or another ingredient that contains caffeine.