HOW TO MAKE LAVENDER COFFEE AND LATTE DRINKS
Lavender coffee drinks have been gaining in popularity and it’s no surprise why. The slightly sweet, slightly floral taste of lavender pairs well with the distinctive taste of coffee. Combining the soothing warmth of lavender with a rich cup of coffee or espresso can be a comforting way to start the day.
The lavender essence can be infused in your coffee or latte with a lavender simple syrup, lavender extract or fresh or dried flowers from the lavender plant. The drink can be enjoyed hot or cold, sweetened or not—depending on your tastes.
CAN I PUT LAVENDER IN MY COFFEE?
Adding lavender to coffee is easy to do and creates a flavorful twist on a classic drink. Once you’ve ground your coffee beans you can add a fresh sprig or a few dried lavender buds to your coffee grounds before you start to brew. Making a simple syrup at home with sugar, water and lavender only takes a few minutes and adds a special touch to coffee drinks. There are also lavender extracts on the market to enhance coffee.
LAVENDER COFFEE RECIPE
A good lavender coffee recipe starts with a strong, aromatic cup of coffee. Combine the brewed coffee with a lavender simple syrup and finish with steamed milk. For an exceptionally flavorful cup of coffee use the KitchenAid® 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker with Spiral Showerhead, or for a more mellow brew, use a KitchenAid® Cold Brew Coffee Maker.
YIELDS1
One serving
1. Exact yields will vary based on recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 5 oz. of coffee
½ cup milk of choice
2 tbsp. lavender syrup
LAVENDER SYRUP INCLUDES:
½ cup of sugar
½ cup of filtered water
¼ dup dried lavender
TOOLS
Coffee maker (drip coffee maker, cold brew, French press, moka pot, etc.)
Whisk, milk frother or KitchenAid® Variable Speed Hand Blender
Saucepan
Measuring cups & spoons
Strainer
Spoons
Mugs
PREP TIME:
30 minutes to prepare and cool lavender simple syrup
TOTAL TIME:
35 minutes total or 5 minutes if using pre-made syrup
STEP 1: MAKE LAVENDER SYRUP
Combine lavender and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil then simmer for 3-5 minutes. Cool to room temperature then strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, into a jar. Reserve lavender water. Combine sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of lavender water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 4 minutes. Whisk remaining lavender water into the sugar mixture. Reserve 2 tablespoons of syrup for coffee and store the remainder in the refrigerator.
STEP 2: BREW COFFEE
Use your favorite brewing method to make coffee. Pour ⅔ cup of freshly brewed coffee into a mug.
STEP 3: FROTH MILK
Froth warm milk with a milk frother, hand blender or whisk.
STEP 4: ASSEMBLE DRINK
Add 2 tablespoons of lavender syrup to coffee and stir to combine. Top coffee with warm, frothed milk and a little fresh or dried lavender.
TIP: LEFTOVER LAVENDER SYRUP USES
Lavender syrup will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Use the syrup for more lavender coffee or you can add it to cocktails, teas, lemonades or as a soak for baked goods.
HOW DO I MAKE A LAVENDER LATTE?
You can turn a lavender coffee into a lavender latte simply by combining 2 shots of espresso—instead of coffee—with lavender syrup and steamed milk. Serve as you would a latte, in a large cup, rather than a coffee mug.
Creating all kinds of lattes or other café-style beverages in your kitchen is fun and easy with the right tools. The KitchenAid® Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine with Milk Frother Attachment brews delicious shots of espresso while the milk frother attachment uses one button to finish lattes, cappuccinos and more.
CAN I USE PLANT-BASED MILK IN MY LAVENDER LATTE?
A lavender latte is delicious made with whole milk, but plant-based milks work beautifully in lavender coffee drinks as well. Oat milk will create a texture that closely resembles the milk used in dairy-based drinks. Almond milk can help give your drink a nuttier vibe, while coconut milk will bring a little tropical creaminess to the party.
There are so many great plant-based milks to choose from, so have fun experimenting to create your signature vegan, lavender latte recipe.
HOW DO I MAKE LAVENDER ICED COFFEE?
Lavender iced coffee is delicious year round, but because it blooms in late spring/ early summer, lavender just feels like warmer weather. Adding ice to a delicious lavender coffee as the weather begins to warm up can create a refreshing treat. Making a lavender iced coffee is as simple as using the recipe included above and pouring cooled coffee/lavender syrup mixture and cold, frothed milk over a glass of ice. To elevate the taste even further, coffee ice cubes can add another level of depth to your drink.
Consider using cold brew in your lavender iced coffee for a lovely, smooth beverage. This no-heat brewing method creates a smooth, less acidic result, and because it’s brewed cold it won’t melt your ice as quickly as traditionally brewed coffee.
HOW LONG SHOULD I INFUSE LAVENDER IN COFFEE?
When preparing the simple syrup for lavender coffee recipes, bring the water and lavender to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer gently for 3-15 minutes. Continuing to boil the flowers or cooking too long can create a bitter, overly intense flavor. Taste the liquid periodically and continue simmering until you find the level of flavor you’re going for. Before you strain the liquid, it will continue to steep as it cools, imparting more flavor.
Keep in mind that your liquid likely won’t turn purple, but it should be pale gold or amber. The longer it steeps, the deeper the color.
TIP: CULINARY LAVENDER
For the best results, look for culinary lavender. This will help ensure that the lavender you’re using hasn’t been sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals.
HOW DO I USE LAVENDER EXTRACT IN COFFEE?
Like all extracts, lavender extract is a concentrated form of the ingredient so you’ll want to use it sparingly. It’s easy to cross over from fragrant and soothing to soapy and cloying with too much extract. Start by adding a scant ¼ teaspoon to your coffee and see how it tastes. If you want more lavender essence, add and taste till you achieve the flavor you like.
If you’re short on time but craving something a little special before you head out the door, this Coffee with Warm Lavender Steamed Milk uses coffee concentrate. It can be prepared ahead with a cold brew coffee maker—and milk steamed with a little lavender extract, to create a quick, satisfying lavender infused coffee.
EXPLORE KITCHENAID® COFFEE MAKERS
A KitchenAid® coffee maker and KitchenAid® espresso maker are the cornerstones for a great kitchen coffee bar. Brew a rich, aromatic cup of coffee with the KitchenAid® 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker with Spiral Showerhead and Programmable Warming Plate. It evenly saturates grounds for optimal extraction. Or froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos with the KitchenAid® Sem-Automatic Espresso Machine and Automatic Milk Frother Attachment. The frother is easier to use than a traditional steam wand and features programmable dosing and a variable micro-foam adjuster, allowing you to adjust the milk amount and texture to match your taste and preference.
