So, I started looking for various flower syrups and I found one to share. I was kind of worried I would not get to try and make syrup, as I have no roses at the moment. I was also thinking I would never find enough violets to make any, either. I found dandelion syrup! I am not sure about where you live, but dandelions pop up here like crazy! The recipe was posted by Melissa Breyer at care2.com. I am impatiently waiting for dandelions now!
100 dandelion flowers, or 1 and 1/2 cups petals
1 cup sweetener (honey, sugar, agave)
3 cups water
Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)
1. Remove the petals from the sepal (the sepal consists of the small tight leaves that extend from the stem and grasp the flower). This takes a while to get the hang of, but gets much quicker as you go along. Be sure to not allow any green into the petals, it will add bitterness to the syrup.
2. Place the petals in a medium pot and cover with 3 cups water and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat, cover and let sit overnight.
3. Strain dandelion water into a bowl, pressing on the flowers with the back of a spoon to extract all the liquid.
4. Return water to pot and add sweetener, and lemon juice if using, and simmer over low heat until thickened.
5. Allow to cool, and pour into a clean jar or bottle. Store covered in refrigerator.
Makes about 2 cups