We don’t always think about making something delicious from the wildflowers growing in our yard. Most of us would mow right over them without even blinking an eye. Although there are many weeds that I am happy to mow over, purple violets aren’t one of them. These cute little purple flowers are not only a sweet sign that spring is here. But an edible, medicinal flower that can be made into a delicious pink-violet lemonade your whole family will love. So get out there and collect these cute little flowers and I’ll show you how simple it is!
What is violet lemonade?
Violet lemonade is simply homemade lemonade mixed with a simple homemade violet tea. It turns into a natural, beautiful pink lemonade! The violet tea is made in the springtime with the violets from your yard. It slightly has a bit of a floral taste, but the purpose would be making a pink lemonade with many health benefits! Healthy pink lemonade! You can’t beat that!
How to make violet lemonade
This lemonade is so simple to make and I like to think it’s the “true” pink lemonade. I wonder if this is how they made some of the first pink lemonade? I’m not sure, but it turns out beautiful. And thank goodness we can skip out on all the dyes that can cause horrible side effects like tantrums, ADHD, and even tumors!
Ok, first things first. Take a little bowl outside and collect about a cup of violets. Not sure which ones they are? Just check out the picture. My grandma actually would call them johnny-jump-ups. Does anyone else call them that? When you pick the flowers, you can leave the stem. You just need the flower part. Once you have about a cup of flowers just take them inside, place them in a mesh strainer, and rinse them really well.
Once they are rinsed it’s time to make tea! Now, I made tea with these flowers in a french press, but you could make it any way you would like. In fact, you could also place them in a large mason jar or measuring cup. Or if all you have is mugs, use a couple of mugs to make this tea. Whatever you do, don’t use a regular glass because when you pour the hot water in it will break.
Put the washed flowers in your container and pour two cups of boiling water on them. Let them set for about 5-10 minutes. You will see the purple leave the leaves and they will turn more white. Strain the tea, or press the flowers down if you are using a french press.
Next, pour the warm mixture into the bottom of your pitcher, add your sugar, and stir until dissolved. Squeeze the juice of 4 large lemons into the pitcher. As you do this you will notice the color turn from a dull bluish color to a beautiful pink! The acid in the lemons causes this to happen. Add the remaining water, stir and enjoy a glass of violet lemonade!
The benefits of violet flowers
Sometimes the oddest things that we look over year after year, season after season have some of the most wonderful benefits. Isn’t it amazing that these cute little flowers are packed with health benefits? Here are just a few.
- Violets can be used as a mild laxative and diuretic.
- Make tea out of the flowers for coughs, congestion, and respiratory infections.
- It can also be used to relieve swollen lymph nodes and help with healthy lymphatic function.
- Violet flowers can be used for cysts, fibrotic tissue, and lumps in the breast.
- Sweet violets can help to relieve pain associated with arthritis.
- They are rich in vitamins A and C.
- They have salicylic acid which makes them good for headaches.
- These little flowers are also good for skin conditions like dry skin and eczema.
As you can see these little flowers shouldn’t be mowed over, but eaten! Naturally, we should eat whats natural, right? We can start by making this violet lemonade!
Other ways to use violets
Additionally, there are other great ways to use violets.
- Toss clean flowers into salads, or on sandwiches.
- Make them into tea and drink the tea.
- Consider making them into a syrup for coughs and respiratory infections.
- Make into a salve for skin conditions.
Isn’t it amazing how we can use different things nature provides to heal our bodies? There is so much to learn about nature and all it has to offer. We can start by exploring our very own yards and we might find the things we so often look over may be just what we need to heal.
Food is medicine.
For other posts about health and wellness, check out:
How to boost your immune system naturally
Why you should use manuka honey
Anti-inflammatory turmeric sauerkraut
Violet Lemonade
Ingredients
Violet tea
- 1 cup sweet violets Just the flower. Wash well. **If you don't have them where you live, I linked dried violets in the recipe notes
- 2 cups of filtered boiling water
Lemonade
- 4 large lemons
- ½-3/4 cup sugar depending on how sweet you like it.
- lemon slices and violet flowers for garnish optional
- 6 cups filtered water
Instructions
Violet tea
- Collect a cup of violet flowers. Make sure to pack them into your cup to have a good full cup.
- Wash the violets well with cool water in a mesh strainer.
- Boil 2 cups of filtered water and pour over the flowers. I did this in a french press, but you can do it in a bowl or large measuring cup.
- Let set 5-10 minutes. You will notice the flowers losing their color. Strain. Or if you are using a french press, press down to make the violet tea.
- Allow this to sit until warm then pour the tea into your pitcher.
- While it's still warm add in the sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved. At this point, the color won't be pretty, but it will change!
- Squeeze in the juice of 4 large lemons and watch the color change into a beautiful pink!
- Add remaining water and stir.
- You can add lemon slices, and violets for garnish if you would like.
- Add ice to your cup and pour a nice glass of your healthy pink lemonade!
Notes
If you can't find the wild violets, you can buy dried violets here
Ellen
Do dried violets make same pretty pink after adding lemon juice
elkeliving
Yes, dried violets or even butterfly pea flower will bring the same results!