Lavender lemonade and other refreshing herb ideas

Lavender lemonade a refreshing summer drink (Courtesy photo)

Southern Maine Garden Club (SMGC) met on Wednesday, May 21 at the Springvale Library for a lecture on herbs and their usage by Debbie Mercier – an herbalist from Limerick, ME (www.greenwoodherbals.com). 

At Greenwood Herbals, Debbie has a healing and teaching center with a natural apothecary, labyrinth and gardens. It is a place to learn about health and wellness, plant medicine, history and harvesting from nature.

Debbie spoke about a number of different plants and herbs that can be used in both cooking and creating teas, tinctures and extracts for promoting healing.  She passed out some recipes using lavender – a particular favorite herb that is grown by many of the garden club members.  One of the recipes was for Lavender Lemonade that will hit the spot now that we are coming into summer weather:

Lavender Lemonade

2 tablespoons of dried lavender florets

2 tablespoons of hibiscus florets (you can also use rosemary or rose hips)

Add the lavender and hibiscus to 2 cups of hot water

Cover and let steep for 5 – 10 minutes

Add 9 cups of water

1 cup of sugar

1 ½ cups of squeezed lemon juice

Stir then chill

Garnish with a spring of lavender (optional)

 SMGC meets throughout the year at the Springvale Library on the third Wednesday of every month beginning at 6:45 PM (unless otherwise noted).  The public is invited to attend to sample our meetings to see if you would like to join us.    The next scheduled meeting on the 3^rd Wednesday of the month will be on June 18th and it will be our membership drive plus organizational meeting – come and hear about our past, present and future projects. It will take place at the Springvale Library at 443 Main Street, Springvale, ME; at 6:45 PM and all are invited.  FMI about future meetings, please contact in ME – Mary Stewart-Dore at 207-490-1833 or in NH – Donna Claveau at 603-332-4860.