Embedded Files
5/19/2026
The garden may have wilted and slowly died as snow covered it, but I just used that as a chance to try making other goods! There truly is something satisfying about pulling jars out of the waterbath, labeling, and storing on the shelf...and doubley satisfying to later just go downstairs for some pre-prepared, homemade goodness!
For spring, much of the inspiration has been what's in the yard, but also learning techniques to carry into garden season as flavors change.
Today was such a heart-happy day as I was able to share my inspired-lemonade-bar at not just one event - but 3! A woven-wood Longaberger basket carried a bottle of lemon juice & 4 syrups with amazing pour lids (linked here - no commission, I just love them and won't gatekeep!). Wild Violet, Strawberry, Blueberry Lavender, and Cucumber Basil!
So delicious, and I was so excited to be able to share with so many other women and families as I first set up for an end-of-year time of fellowship with our church moms group, set up again at a women's home for pregnant/new mamas as I volunteered with other moms, and then replenished a couple and brought to our church small group's end-of-year gathering! What I hoped would be enough for 1 event turned into abundance and plenty without worry! What a blessing.
Wild Violet
This is the one that started it all...kinda by accident. I had been pulling violets (and dandelions) like CRAZY to make jelly and dehydrate for later use. When a couple batches didn't set, I ended up following suggestions to use as syrup....which was AMAZING in lemonade. So easy: wild violet tea, dissolve in sugar, splash of lemon juice and can it up! So good - and all natural!
Strawberry Syrup
Inspired by making the one, having made strawberry jam for my son as a swap, and a GREAT sale at aldi - I made strawberry syrup! Easy enough: Cut strawberries simmering in a splash of water, dissolve sugar, splash of lemon, and can away! This one was definitely a start to feeling out confidence in the process, and an equal excitement! It was at this point I knew the final church moms group meeting was coming up with a full potluck - so I reached out asking if I could provide a lemonade bar as my contribution! I had other flavors in mind, some still on the mind-burner yet to come. But I was so excited!
Blueberry Lavender Syrup
This is the one that has me OBSESSED. Because of who I am, I had aesthetics in mind, just as much as flavor, and wanted the dark blue of a blueberry syrup to the bar. As I searched recipes (afterall, I'm still very much learning by hands-on even as I'm starting to venture based on my own skills and creativity. In my Google Search, a lovely recipe came up, but with the addition of lavender! It was in this process I took the ambitious undertaking of doing a batch with, and a batch without.... and ended up with a double batch with...but this happy stumbling also gave me a connection and understanding of making syrups working with a combination of fruit AND herbal and how to treat both ingredients. 100/10 (no typo). Essentially the same process of the strawberry syrup, but adding a step of low boiling with the lavender in for 1-2 minutes before canning!
Cucumber Basil Syrup
This one absolutely was made the day before I needed it. But it was a flavor I had on my mind as not just aethetically different, but as a wonderful summery-lighter flavor option. (At least in concept.) A google search for a recipe yielded VERY little options it reminded me of times before Google honestly. 2 or 3 websites had very contradictory methods for a cucumber syrup, but even then oddly had basil as not necessarily mentioned. With minimal/moderate confidence, I went with what made sense to me both working with the cucumber and then with the herbs (thank you to my MIL for the fresh basil off her windowsill!), and hoped for the best! Essentially juicing the cucumber, then I took liberty to add a little water before dissolving sugar and lemon juice, and adding the herbal step of the basil for 1-2 minutes. It was a good complimentary flavor, and definitely got some good feedback!
If you've stuck around, woohoo! Thanks for sharing in the excitement! I love that I'm able to give my family fun and flavorful drinks that will last all summer and be customizable...and I can pronounce the ingredients while counting them on one hand! I also found such a happiness and grounding that I seem to have found something I enjoy so much contributing to appropriate spaces with others. It has definitely sparked some ideas as I look to launch my venture a little bit more into the local community.
With a Joyful Heart,
Crystal Smith; Red Letter Homestead
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse