Homemade Dandelion & Wild Violet Lemonade Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Click HERE to read my policies & disclaimers if you're interested. I will only link products I use and personally recommend. Thank you for your support, friends!
In early spring when the dandelions and the wild violets are comin’ in hot with all the sunshine, my kids and I turn into foraging fools. I give them a jar and they go out and pick every dandelion and wild violet they can find in the yard because they know Mom will make them lemonade and it’s so good! Dandelions are one of my favorite herbs and also one of the most misunderstood considering people are spraying their yards to get rid of them. They are so beautiful and useful! Stahhhhpittttttt. You should really look into the wide array of health and nutritional benefits of this “yard weed.” Dandelion and wild violet lemonade gets a gorgeous lavender color and has a lovely, fresh honey taste, that makes this lemonade recipe a keeper.
I don’t stick to a hard and fast measurement of dandelions and wild violets. It’s basically whatever I collected that day along our favorite dandelion path. Do be sure you’re not harvesting dandelion blossoms or wild violet flowers near places that are sprayed with weed killer… let’s avoid that. You will only need the wild violet and fresh dandelion flowers for the lemonade; leave the greens and stems out because they bring a bitterness that’s really not pleasant to drink.
Health Benefits of Dandelions
Have you ever thought about those cute yellow flowers packing a super heatlhful punch? They’re actually really good for you and are packed with antioxidants to fight those free radicals and promote cellular health. These edible flowers and greens are fantastic sources of vitamin c, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin K! Vitamin b is present but in a really tiny amount so I don’t give them much credit for that one. They even contain folate and some trace amounts of magnesium, potassium, calcium, and iron. Dandelions also promote liver health by naturally reducing triglycerides and even aid in blood sugar control and work as a mild antiinflammatory. They got a whole lot of good for being a basic yard weed. How fun to potentially get some really nice healthful benefits by enjoying a refreshing lemonade!
Equipment You Will Need
- half gallon jar
- large pot for boiling water
- wide mouth jar pitcher handle
Ingredients
- 2 cups tightly packed mixture of wild violet blooms and dandelion flowers (the yellow petals only, no green parts)
- 6 cups of water
- 3/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 8 freshly squeeze lemons
When life gives you dandelions, you should be making lemonade!
Step 1: Prep the Flowers
Gather a tightly packed pint jar worth of wild violets flower and dandelions. Give them a good rinse. To use the dandelions, remove the green stem part so you only have the yellow petals. You can do this pretty easily by holding the blooms in one hand and pinching and twisting the green stem off in the other. If you leave the green on, it will be very bitter. If you love bitter, go for it!
Step 2: Boil Water
Bring the water to a boil, remove from heat and add the wild violets and dandelion petals. Cover and allow to steep 30 minutes. I’ve also cooled it and then placed in the fridge overnight! Do your thing!
Step 3: Make the Lemonade
Strain off the dandelions and wild violets. Add the liquid to a half gallon mason jar. Add in honey or maple syrup and the fresh squeezed lemon juice. Add a leak proof lid to your jar and shake to combine. Chill completely and then enjoy a wonderful hot weather treat!
Enjoy!
Equipment
- half gallon wide mouth har
- large pot for boiling water
Ingredients
- 2 cups tightly packed mixture of wild violet blooms and dandelion flowers the yellow petals only, no green parts
- 6 cups water
- 3/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 8 freshly squeeze lemons
Instructions
- Gather a tightly packed pint jar worth of wild violets flower and dandelions. Give them a good rinse. To use the dandelions, remove the green stem part so you only have the yellow petals. You can do this pretty easily by holding the blooms in one hand and pinching and twisting the green stem off in the other.
- Bring the water to a boil, remove from heat and add the wild violets and dandelion petals. Cover and allow to steep 30 minutes.
- Strain off the dandelions and wild violets. Add the liquid to a half gallon mason jar. Add in honey or maple syrup and the fresh squeezed lemon juice. Add a leak proof lid to your jar and shake to combine. Chill completely & enjoy!
