You look like you might need an extra cup of coffee on this Friday morning.
Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. I’m going to ease you into the weekend with the most comforting cup of caffeination out there.
Today, we’re making lattes. But not just any lattes. Lattes with homemade honey-lavender syrup. AKA, my newest favorite thing.
Over the summer, my sisters and I took my mom away to Cape May for the weekend to celebrate her birthday. While there, we visited one of my most favorite places in the world: Congress Hall. It is a beautiful old hotel right on the waterfront, and it’s pretty much the stuff of dreams. They have a really cute coffee shop right off the lobby, and every time I’m in Cape May, I stop in there. It’s just so darn cute.
While perusing the menu, I noticed the coffee flavor list. Now, coffeehouse flavor syrups are NOT my thing. I don’t care for them usually, and I almost never get them as a result. In the long list of options, though, one stuck out to me. Honey lavender. It sounded too interesting to pass up. I admit, I was worried it would be like drinking a glass of coffee potpourri. I mean, I’ve always liked lavender in my candles and bubble bath, but not necessarily in my food. It can be very overpowering, and that’s exactly what I expected with this cup of coffee.
But! Curiousity got the best of me and I ordered it anyway.
And goodness am I glad I did!
Not only was the lavender NOT overpowering or overly florally, it added such a comforting element to my coffee. Which is huge in my book. You see, coffee is so much more than a caffeine jolt to me. It’s a morning routine. A comfort. When I don’t have coffee in the morning, I am off for the entire day. Again, not necessarily because of the lack of caffeine. I just LOVE holding that hot mug of coffee early in the morning. I love the way that first swirl of milk or cream looks as you stir it in. I love the smell. I love the taste.
And the honey lavender syrup in this cup of coffee was everything. It was slightly sweet, a touch florally, and super comforting. All while meeting my morning routine requirements. I sipped it as we sat in huge adirondack chairs, basking in the early-day sunshine, overlooking the ocean.
I decided in that moment that honey lavender coffee was going to be a thing. A regular thing. At home.
And so here we are!
These lattes are really easy to make, but if you don’t have an espresso maker, I can vouch for this syrup tasting good in all kinds of coffee. I’ve had it in regular coffee (my first experience), and I’ve actually had it drizzled into a big glass of cold brew. It really works in any and all coffee drinks.
It starts by making the syrup, which I recommend doing ahead so that the lavender flowers have plenty of time to steep in the syrup before you use it. It’s a mixture of water, sugar, honey, and dried lavender. That’s it! You simmer it until the sugar and honey are completely dissolved and then let it cool to room temperature, with the lavender flowers steeping. Then, when you’re ready to use it, you strain out the flowers and go to town!
The other great thing? The syrup keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks! I have a small carafe in my fridge right now, and I’ve been enjoying it in my coffee every morning for the past week. And it’s been LOVELY with the cooler almost-fall mornings.
I’m telling you, these lattes are comfort in a cup. And they are destined for your weekend plans!
You can thank me later!
Honey Lavender Lattes
- Yield: makes 2 lattes (with extra syrup), easily multiplied 1x
Ingredients
For the Honey-Lavender Syrup:
- 1 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender flowers
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup honey
For Two Lattes:
- 2–4 shots of espresso (you can sub with strong coffee)
- 1 cup steamed milk
- The Honey-Lavender syrup (to taste)
- Whipped cream, optional
Instructions
For the Syrup:
- Combine the water and the lavender in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and then add in the sugar and honey. Cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until the honey and sugar have completely dissolved.
- Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, with the lavender steeping. Strain the syrup into a jar or resealable glass container and discard the strained lavender flowers. Store in the fridge.
For Two Lattes:
- Divide the espresso between two coffee mugs and drizzle in some of the honey-lavender syrup (to taste — see NOTE below).
- Top each glass with some of the steamed milk, whipped cream, and a sprinkle of dried lavender. Serve immediately.
NOTES:
- This syrup is great in iced coffee and regular hot coffee as well (and definitely in tea!). It’s a versatile flavor, but beware, it IS potent. Start small and adjust to meet your tastes.
- The syrup will last in an airtight container in the fridge for roughly two weeks. The lavender sediment may settle a bit, so swirl or stir it before drizzling in your coffee or tea!
Hi There. I'm Molly. I'm a food-obsessed, self-taught cook and I can't wait to share my passion for all things culinary with you. My love for egg yolks is just the tip of the iceberg!
Would it be okay to leave the dried lavender leaves in the syrup?
Hi Callie! From a taste perspective, it would be fine. I just prefer not to have the texture of the actual leaves when I’m drinking a latte. Totally your call!
Would you be able to use fresh lavender flowers instead of dried?
Absolutely! I haven’t tried this myself, though, so it might be a to-taste experiment for you.
Where could I find culinary lavender leaves to purchase/order?
I also get Honey Lavender when I go to my local coffee shop, and I’ve been dying to try to make it myself.
My family think it’s so weird but I just love it SO much!!
Hi! I just order them online – Amazon usually carries them! Just make sure you’re getting the culinary grade, which means they haven’t been treated with anything funky. I love lavender coffee so much!
I had the same thoughts when I saw lavender honey lattes at my local shop… Expected a perfume shop in my mouth and to my surprise fell in love with it! I think the lavender I purchased was lower quality and not as strong (flavor was lost in the honey) so after taking the syrup off the heat, I added a touch more lavender.
Delicious recipe! Now I can make my favorite at home. Where can I find these beautuful mugs? I love them!
So glad to hear! These mugs are part of the “welcome” collection at Crate & Barrel.
This recipe is simple, easy, and relatively good. I think it would be best to do 2 tablespoons of lavender instead of just 1. Even trying the syrup by itself I can barely taste any lavender. Anyway, I appreciate this recipe and it has helped me make a better latte than the first one I made on my own with no recipe.