Lavender Maple Iced Coffee Mocktail
This drink will ease you from summer into autumn with a combination of lavender and maple reminiscent of both. Lavender brings us back to the height of our gardens, while maple offers the nuanced sweetness we associated with so many fall dishes. In lieu of a coffee cocktail, try this chilled non-alcoholic and dairy-free drink when you’re in the mood for notes both light and dark, lightly sweet and earthy, in other words that beautiful feeling when you hold onto both seasons and enjoy the best of each.
Ingredients
3 ounces chilled coffee
3 ounces oat milk
¾ ounce lavender maple syrup
Lavender Maple Syrup
½ cup pure maple syrup
¼ cup filtered water
2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender
With only a few ingredients in each glass, here are a couple of notes to help you select the best ones. This recipe calls for pure maple syrup, and keep in mind that darker varieties have a more robust flavor. When it comes to choosing lavender, you may find it on the baking, spice or tea aisles of your market. If purchasing from an online shop, remember to order culinary lavender.
How to Make Lavender Maple Simple Syrup
This syrup has just enough lavender flavor to come through beautifully without being overpowering, and it has the most lovely scent, which always contributes to the drink experience.
Combine the maple syrup, water, and dried lavender in a small saucepan and heat until small bubbles begin to form around the edge of the pan. Remove from heat, allow lavender to steep for 1 hour, then strain and cool.
How to Make the Lavender Maple Coffee Mocktail
For this recipe, I prefer to use a shaker, though you could also stir in a glass with ice then strain into serving glasses.
Add the coffee, oat milk, and syrup to a shaker, then add ice. Shake to chill. Strain into glasses to serve.
Garnish with a bit of dried lavender, maple cookie, or a sprig of fresh lavender.
Serve on its own, after a meal or with dessert.
If you love mocktails as much as I do, try this sparkling pear drink with your meal. You may also enjoy the flavors in this autumn harvest salad with maple crunch topping.
