Dandelion Lemonade (Printable Version)

Floral lemonade brewed from foraged dandelion petals, fresh lemon, and choice of sweetener; steeped and chilled.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dandelion Petals

01 - 1 cup fresh dandelion petals, pesticide-free, yellow petals only, green parts removed

→ Lemon Mixture

02 - 4 large lemons, juiced (about 1 cup lemon juice)
03 - 1 lemon, thinly sliced, for garnish

→ Sweetener

04 - 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar, honey, or agave syrup, adjusted to taste

→ Water

05 - 5 cups water, divided (2 cups boiling, 3 cups cold)

# How to Make It:

01 - Rinse the dandelion petals thoroughly in cold water and gently pat dry with a clean towel.
02 - Place the dandelion petals in a heatproof bowl. Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the petals, cover, and let steep for 10 minutes.
03 - Strain the dandelion infusion through a fine mesh sieve, discarding the petals. Allow the liquid to cool slightly.
04 - In a large pitcher, combine the dandelion infusion, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and sweetener. Stir until the sweetener is fully dissolved.
05 - Add the remaining 3 cups of cold water. Taste and adjust sweetness as desired.
06 - Refrigerate the lemonade for at least 1 hour before serving.
07 - Serve over ice, garnished with lemon slices and extra dandelion petals if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It turns a common backyard weed into the most beautiful, floral drink you will serve all spring.
  • The lemon balances the honeyed dandelion flavor so perfectly that guests always ask what the secret ingredient is.
02 -
  • Even a few green bits from the base of the petals will make the whole batch taste sharply bitter, so take your time separating them.
  • Steeping longer than 15 minutes does not add more flavor but can pull out grassy notes you do not want.
03 -
  • The easiest way to separate petals from green bases is to pinch the flower base and twist the petals off in one gentle motion rather than pulling individual petals.
  • Warming the sweetener with the hot dandelion infusion ensures it dissolves completely so you never get a gritty sip at the bottom of your glass.

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