I've been experimenting with something new in the kitchen - syrups flavoured with flowers and herbs.
The idea came from seeing posts about the idea on social media, and a scrap of paper on which I'd written down the recipe for lilac syrup.
I fully expected to end up with burnt brown stickiness in a ruined saucepan but syrup making turns out to be surprisingly simple. Add sugar to water and heat to dissolve it. (Don't leave the pan on the heat and walk away from it though, because who knows what could happen then)
Then add the petals or leaves (the amount varies according to which plant you chose to use but recipes for all sorts of syrups are readily available on the web). Let it stand a while, strain and bottle.
Oh, and then test it.
Lilac, at the top, looks lovely even while preparing it. Lemon balm, below, looks less attractive.
Both give an unusual flavour to drinks whether added to lemonade or gin.
I'm now wondering what else I could find in the garden to try this with - lavender, roses, maybe sage or rosemary for a more savoury taste.
