This August, lavender is everywhere, lining farmers’ market stalls, flavoring bakery treats, and popping up on cocktail menus. Known for its fragrant floral aroma and calming properties, lavender has become one of the season’s most intriguing culinary trends. But while it can add elegance and freshness to both sweet and savory recipes, one thing is certain: a little goes a long way. Cooking with lavender is all about balance. Too much can make your dish taste like perfume, but when used with care, it pairs beautifully with summer flavors like lemon, honey, and berries. From lavender lemonade to shortbread cookies and even savory compound butters, there are countless ways to highlight this herb without letting it overpower your dish.
In this blog, we’ll explore why lavender is trending this August, how to use it wisely in the kitchen, and five versatile recipes that capture its essence. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to bring this fragrant bloom into your cooking, whether you’re baking, mixing drinks, or making a standout condiment for summer gatherings.
Why Lavender Is Trending This August
Food and drink trends often follow the seasons, and August is the perfect time for lavender. Here’s why it’s capturing attention this year:
1. It Feels Elevated and Elegant
Lavender instantly adds a sense of sophistication to food. Whether infused into a cocktail or baked into cookies, it transforms an ordinary recipe into something special. This makes it a favorite for summer entertaining, where presentation and creativity matter.
2. It’s Calming and Mindful
With wellness-focused dining on the rise, lavender resonates with consumers who want food that not only tastes good but also feels good. Lavender is associated with relaxation, mindfulness, and stress relief qualities that pair well with August’s slower, sun-soaked pace.
3. It Pairs Beautifully with Seasonal Staples
Late summer flavors like lemon, honey, and berries are natural matches for lavender. Citrus enhances its freshness, honey softens its herbal notes, and berries add brightness and depth. These combinations make lavender an easy seasonal addition to both sweet and savory recipes.
4. It’s Versatile
Lavender can be used in many forms, dried buds, fresh sprigs, infused syrups, or flavored butters. This flexibility allows chefs, bakers, and home cooks to experiment across drinks, desserts, and condiments.
How to Cook with Lavender Without Overpowering Your Dish
Lavender’s bold aroma can easily dominate, so it’s important to approach it with care. Here are key tips for balancing flavor:
- Start small. Use only a pinch of dried lavender buds at first, then adjust to taste.
- Pair with complementary flavors. Citrus, honey, vanilla, and berries help round out lavender’s intensity.
- Use culinary lavender only. Not all lavender is meant for cooking; culinary-grade lavender has a softer flavor and is free from chemical treatments.
- Infuse, don’t overwhelm. Try steeping lavender in liquids (like syrups, cream, or lemonade) rather than mixing it directly into batter or dough. This keeps the flavor delicate.
- Think garnish. Sometimes a sprinkle on top or a single sprig for aroma is all you need.
5 Recipes to Try with Lavender This August
Lavender is most exciting when it enhances, not dominates, a dish. Here are five recipes that show how to strike that perfect balance:
1. Lavender Lemonade
This refreshing summer drink is one of the simplest ways to showcase lavender.
How to make it:
- Steep 1–2 teaspoons of dried culinary lavender in hot water for 5 minutes.
- Strain, then mix the infusion with fresh lemon juice, honey, and cold water.
- Serve over ice with lemon slices and a sprig of lavender for garnish.
👉 Why it works: Lemon brightens lavender’s floral notes while honey adds smoothness, keeping the flavor balanced.
👉 Presentation tip: Store it in a 16 oz. plastic cold cup with a clear dome lid for easy takeout.
2. Lavender Shortbread Cookies with a Citrus Glaze
Classic buttery shortbread gets a floral upgrade with lavender.
How to make it:
- Add 1 teaspoon of finely ground dried lavender buds to your shortbread dough.
- Bake as usual, then top with a glaze made of powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest.
👉 Why it works: The buttery richness of shortbread softens lavender’s herbal taste, while citrus glaze ties the flavors together.
👉 Presentation Tip: Package it in a 10" x 5" plastic cookie container for effortless gift-giving or convenient takeout.
3. Lavender Honey Whipped Butter (Perfect for Toast or Scones)
An easy way to add elegance to your breakfast spread.
How to make it:
- Whip softened butter with honey and a tiny pinch of ground lavender.
- Chill and serve with toast, scones, or biscuits.
👉 Why it works: The honey mellows lavender, making this butter taste luxurious but not overwhelming.
👉 Presentation Tip: Store in an 8 oz. tamper-evident plastic cup for convenient single-serve portions.
4. Blueberry-Lavender Jam
A unique spread that pairs perfectly with toast, charcuterie boards, or yogurt.
How to make it:
- Cook fresh blueberries with sugar and lemon juice.
- Add a lavender sachet (dried buds tied in cheesecloth) during cooking, then remove before jarring.
👉 Why it works: The lavender infuses subtly, complementing blueberries’ natural sweetness without overpowering them.
👉 Presentation Tip: Serve in a 5 oz. disposable foil ramekin for perfectly portioned individual servings.
5. Lavender Simple Syrup (For Cocktails, Iced Tea, or Mocktails)
A must-have for anyone who loves entertaining.
How to make it:
- Simmer equal parts sugar and water until dissolved.
- Add 1 tablespoon dried lavender, steep for 10 minutes, then strain.
- Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
👉 Why it works: Syrup allows you to control intensity. Just a splash can transform drinks into something elegant and refreshing.
👉 Presentation Tip: Serve it in a 9 oz. plastic cold cup to capture those cocktail vibes.
Savory Uses for Lavender (Bonus Ideas)
Though lavender is most common in desserts and drinks, it also shines in savory cooking when used carefully:
- Herbes de Provence: Lavender is a classic component of this French herb blend. Try it on roasted chicken or grilled vegetables.
- Lavender Salt: Blend dried lavender with coarse salt for a finishing touch on lamb or pork.
- Lavender Marinades: Combine with olive oil, garlic, and lemon for a Mediterranean-style flavor profile.
These applications add a subtle herbal note without overwhelming the dish.
Why August Is the Perfect Time to Experiment
August offers an abundance of seasonal produce, berries, stone fruit, fresh herbs, that pair naturally with lavender. It’s also peak season for lavender itself, making it easy to find fresh or dried versions at farmers’ markets. Plus, summer entertaining calls for dishes and drinks that feel special but approachable, which makes lavender the ideal flavor to experiment with right now.
Conclusion
Cooking with lavender may seem intimidating, but with the right balance, it can bring sophistication and freshness to both sweet and savory recipes. This August, take advantage of lavender’s peak season and pair it with summer staples like lemon, honey, and berries. Start small, focus on complementary flavors, and experiment with simple recipes like lavender lemonade, shortbread cookies, or a versatile simple syrup. Whether you’re baking for friends, mixing cocktails, or elevating a weekend breakfast, lavender has the power to make ordinary dishes feel extraordinary without overpowering your palate. So go ahead, embrace this August trend and bring a touch of floral elegance to your kitchen.