magazine monday: lavender lemonade!

As soon as the weather starts to warm up, even if it’s just the tiniest bit warmer outside, I always start craving lemonade.  There’s just something in that tart, sugary sweetness that quenches my thirst much more than water.  So, when my mother arrived for a visit this past weekend and insisted on making us her lavender lemonade to accompany our dinner, I was beyond thrilled!  We enjoyed it so much on Friday night that I knew I just had to make a Magazine Monday out of her delicious concoction!

After a quick google search, it seems as though various recipes for lavender lemonade have been featured in some of my favorite magazines in recent years- Martha Stewart Living (of course!), Whole Living and even O, The Oprah Magazine!  While flipping through the latest InStyle yesterday morning, I even found a recipe for a lavender seltzer.  Making lemonade was also fresh in my mind, as last week two of my favorite photographers, Justin & Mary Marantz posted a delicious looking recipe on their blog (not a magazine, although it could be!) for yummy old fashioned lemonade.  With the help of all of these inspiring sources, I now knew my mother’s lavender lemonade would make a stellar Magazine Monday with Meredith!

Ingredients: Lavender (from Le Jardin de Michael et Meredith!) water, sugar, and lemon juice (freshly squeezed lemon juice would probably be even better, but we had this bottle on hand already).  Bring water & sugar to a boil, add the lavender leaves and turn the heat down to low, letting the water & lavender simmer for twenty minutes or so.  Strain the mixture (you can toss the lavender leaves now!) and let it cool for a bit, then add the lemon juice.  Serve over ice & garnish your glass with a sprig or two of the lavender!

Mason jars & paper striped straws are a must for any type of summery drink, don’t you think?

Mmmm!  I cannot wait to make another glass… I’m afraid we might have to start planting more lavender soon!

Happy Magazine Monday!  Also, this is the 200th post on the & unlimited blog- how fun is that?!