Learn how to make an easy homemade lavender vanilla bean simple syrup with just a few ingredients. Perfect for coffee, cocktails, desserts, and more. Add a floral twist to all your favorite recipes!
Why You’ll Love This Lavender Vanilla Syrup
Quick, easy, and only 4 ingredients
There’s nothing better than a recipe that feels fancy but takes almost no effort. This lavender vanilla bean syrup uses ingredients you probably already have (especially if you’re already making your own vanilla extract!). In less than 20 minutes, you’ll have a beautiful floral syrup that tastes like something from a fancy café — but made right in your cozy kitchen.
Versatile for drinks, baking, and more
This syrup isn’t a one-trick pony. Stir it into your morning latte, mix it into cocktails for a botanical twist, drizzle it over pancakes, or use it to soak cake layers for an unforgettable dessert. The balance of floral lavender and rich vanilla makes it perfect for both sweet treats and craft beverages.
Natural flavor without artificial additives
When you make your own syrup, you control exactly what goes into it — no fake lavender flavoring, no mystery preservatives, just real ingredients. Using real vanilla beans and dried culinary lavender means you get deep, authentic flavor that tastes fresh and pure. It’s the kind of upgrade you can actually feel good about adding to your favorite recipes.
Tips for Making the Best Lavender Syrup
Best types of lavender to use
Not all lavender is created equal when it comes to cooking. Make sure you’re using culinary-grade dried lavender — the kind specifically grown for food. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the sweetest and most commonly used variety in recipes. Its also great to grow in your own garden. Avoid French lavender or anything labeled “for craft use” — it can be sprayed with chemicals and taste bitter.
How to adjust sweetness and strength
Simple syrup recipes are super forgiving. If you prefer a lighter, less sweet syrup, you can reduce the sugar slightly (try ¾ cup instead of 1 cup). Want a stronger lavender flavor? Let the buds steep longer — up to an hour — after the syrup has cooled slightly. For a lighter floral note, strain the lavender out after just 5–10 minutes of steeping. Trust your taste buds and tweak as you go!
Storage and shelf life tips
Once your syrup has cooled and been strained, store it in a clean glass jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid. It will keep in the refrigerator for about 4 weeks. If you want to stretch the life a little longer, add a splash of vodka (about 1 tablespoon) to act as a natural preservative. Always use a clean spoon when scooping it out to avoid introducing bacteria or use a swing top bottle that is easy for pouring.
Ways to Use Lavender Vanilla Syrup
1. Sweeten your coffee or lattes
Stir a tablespoon (or two!) into your morning coffee, cold brew, or homemade latte for a floral, cozy flavor that feels straight out of a local café — but without the $8 price tag.
2. Upgrade your cocktails
Lavender and vanilla are dreamy in craft cocktails. Add it to gin-based drinks, vodka lemonades, or even champagne spritzers for a subtle botanical twist that’ll impress everyone (including yourself).
3. Drizzle over pancakes and waffles
Move over maple syrup! Pour this syrup over a stack of pancakes, waffles, or French toast for a brunch that feels a little more luxurious and a lot more homemade.
4. Use it in homemade lemonade
Add a few tablespoons to a fresh batch of lemonade for a beautiful lavender lemonade that’s perfect for summer sipping, backyard gatherings, or just because you deserve it.
5. Soak cake layers
Brush lavender vanilla syrup between cake layers (especially lemon or vanilla cakes) to keep them moist and add an unexpected flavor pop. It’s a baker’s secret weapon for cakes that taste like they came from a high-end bakery.
6. Mix into yogurt or oatmeal
Swirl a spoonful into your morning yogurt, chia pudding, or oatmeal for a lightly sweet, floral note that makes a simple breakfast feel really special.
7. Make popsicles or sorbets
Blend it into your next homemade popsicle or sorbet batch for a refreshing frozen treat with a hint of lavender and vanilla — totally summer-perfect and way better than anything store-bought.
8. Create a floral whipped cream
Add a teaspoon or two to heavy cream before whipping to create a lightly sweetened lavender vanilla whipped cream. Perfect for topping cakes, pies, scones, or fresh fruit.
There’s something so satisfying about taking a few simple ingredients and turning them into pure magic — and this Lavender Vanilla Syrup is exactly that. It’s easy, it’s beautiful, and it makes everything you add it to feel a little more special. Whether you’re swirling it into your morning coffee, drizzling it over pancakes, or stirring it into a backyard cocktail, this syrup is a sweet reminder that homemade really is best.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how you use it! Leave a comment below, tag me on Instagram, or share this recipe with a friend who loves lavender as much as you do. 🌿✨ Don’t forget to save this post so you can whip up a fresh batch anytime you need a little everyday luxury!
Here are some other recipes that might interest you
Ingredients
- 1-2 vanilla beans used and split open I will use the beans from my vanilla extract for this
- 1 tbsp dried English lavender buds
- 1 cup organic sugar cane or swap with brown sugar for a deep flavor
- 1 cup filtered water
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, vanilla beans, and lavender buds.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the syrup steep for 15–20 minutes to allow the lavender and vanilla to fully infuse. I will generally wait until the syrup is fully cooled before moving on to the next step.
- Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the lavender buds and vanilla solids.
- Transfer the syrup to a clean jar or bottle and refrigerate. It will keep for about 2 weeks.