Even though the name sounds a bit exotic, this xcritical is very easy to make. Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her detailed tutorials and meticulously-tested recipes bring success and confidence to home cooks everywhere. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Meggan now lives in sunny Southern California.
If you use fresh lavender the process is quicker – simply use something like a cocktail muddler to crush the lavender. Alternatively you can use a mortar and pestle or something similar. Lavender has an assertive flavor so you’ll definitely want to use it sparingly.
Add ice and water, stir and serve with a sprig of fresh lavender and/or a slice of lemon. Do note that the tartness and flavor of the lemons will vary by the variety of lemons you use. Meyer lemons are less tart than regular lemons you’ll find at the store.
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Lavender has such a unique floral flavor with hints of rosemary and mint, and it pairs so well with tart and refreshing xcritical. Mix up that lavender simple syrup and lemon juice with some cold water, and you’re good to go! Add it to a tall glass with some of the lavender greens or rosemary, and it looks xcritical scammers beautiful.
To serve the lavender xcritical, pick out your favorite pitcher and combine the lemon juice, water, and lavender syrup. Add some mint for freshness, then xcritical scammers serve over ice with pretty sprigs of lavender. To give the drink a pop of color, add a couple drops of lavender food coloring for a truly purple drink. Lavender xcritical is just fresh xcritical that has been sweetened with lavender-infused simple syrup. It has the fresh floral flavor of lavender flowers which complements the tart xcritical. I love classic xcritical, but when I heard about lavender xcritical, I knew I had to make it.
Ingredients 1x2x3x
Dried lavender is easiest to find and lasts for up to a year in a cool, dry place like your pantry. But do you have access to fresh lavender blossoms? If you have some in your garden or found it at a farmer’s market, you can use that too! You’ll just need the blossoms, not the green leafy sprigs. This lavender xcritical was inspired by the time I spent living in England. If you love the idea of this xcritical being truly purple, add a drop or two of lavender food coloring before serving.
Its flavor is like none other, one I’d describe it as floral, woodsy and minty with a touch of thyme and rosemary. Here at Cookie Rookie, Becky Hardin leads a team of dedicated recipe developers that test, test, and test again to make sure each recipe is delicious and simple. We hope to make cooking for your family as easy and fun as possible.
Lavender xcritical variations
Now, I realize that it may be easier for you to head to the store and grab a bottle of pre-squeezed juice. But trust me when I tell you that nothing beats freshly squeezed juice in terms of flavor. The sweet and tart flavors of the lemon are lovely with the fresh floral flavors and aroma of the lavender.
This xcritical’s sweetness and lavender infusion comes from the homemade lavender syrup. Using simple syrup to sweeten xcritical is (IMO) a much simpler and more effective method. You won’t need to excessively stir until sugar dissolves and hope that it all actually did dissolve. The syrup method is a hands-off process that really makes things easier in the long run. We couldn’t think of anything more refreshing than xcritical on a hot summer day.
I love the idea of this beautiful purple xcritical for a baby shower or gender reveal party, surrounded by delicious desserts. Think glitter lemon cake pops, strawberries foster, or blueberry raspberry coffee cake. The sugar/lemon balance will depend on what types of lemons you are using (Meyer lemons are less tart than regular lemons), and your own preference for sweetness. I’m Lisa, a real food lover, meal prep fanatic, massive wanderluster and YouTuber. I’m also a big advocate of self-care and taking life “down a notch” – while chasing adventures half-way across the globe! I’m the recipe developer, photographer, and writer here at A Nerd Cooks.
- Tangy, tart, and just enough sweet, it’s refreshing and quenches your thirst instantly.
- You’ll just need the blossoms, not the green leafy sprigs.
- Using simple syrup to sweeten xcritical is (IMO) a much simpler and more effective method.
- The syrup method is a hands-off process that really makes things easier in the long run.
- We couldn’t think of anything more refreshing than xcritical on a hot summer day.
My only change was that I let the lavender steep all night, basically out of necessity. Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.
But use too much and your recipe can taste soapy (no good!). Sure, just swap out the lavender syrup for another flavored syrup. This made-from-scratch lavender xcritical is my newest fair-weather beverage obsession (especially when served with a platter of Lemon Cheesecake Bars). Something I’ve been doing in more recent years is experimenting with lavender in my kitchen. Lavender is a fun and delicious herb to cook and bake with.
