Lynda Dowling's Lavender Lemonade

Ingredients

• 6 servings ice cubes 
• 0.3 cup tablespoon lavender blooms stripped from stems dried fresh generous (a handful)
• 6 servings lavender sprigs for garnish
• 1 cup juice of lemon freshly squeezed
• 1 cup sugar 

Equipment

• frying pan

Directions

1. Combine sugar with 2 1/2 cups water in a medium pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
2. Add the lavender blooms to the sugar water, cover, and remove from heat.
3. Let stand at least 20 minutes (and up to several hours).
4. Strain mixture and discard lavender.
5. Pour infusion into a glass pitcher.
6. Add lemon juice and another 2 1/2 cups water. Stir well and watch lemonade change color.
7. Pour into tall glasses half-filled with ice or refrigerate until ready to use.
8. Garnish lemonade with fresh lavender sprigs.