I’ve been meaning to share this one for a while, and now that lilacs are blooming again, it feels like the perfect time. This lilac cream soda is something truly special, lightly fizzy, beautifully floral, and just sweet enough. It’s the kind of drink you sip slowly on the porch with a good book, surrounded by birdsong and breeze.

The best part? You can make it right at home with just a few ingredients, and the lilac syrup is surprisingly easy. I used the blooms from the bush right outside my kitchen window, make sure yours are organic and unsprayed if you’re doing the same. The flavor is delicate, a little nostalgic, and totally unlike anything you’d find at the store.

A few tips before you begin:

• Lilacs are edible (specifically the Syringa vulgaris variety), but they must be free from pesticides or roadside pollution.
• The syrup can be made in advance and keeps in the fridge for about a week.
• You can serve this over ice with soda water for a true cream soda, or skip the bubbles and go for a dreamy lilac milk.

✧ Lilac Cream Soda Recipe ✧

Ingredients for Lilac Syrup:

• 1 cup lilac blossoms (stems and green parts removed)
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (preserves color)

To Assemble the Drink:

• 2 tablespoons lilac syrup
• 1/2 cup milk or cream (I love using oat milk or half-and-half)
• 1/2 cup soda water or sparkling water
• Ice

Optional for extra charm:

• A few lilac blossoms for garnish
• Natural purple food coloring (for a deeper hue)

Instructions:

1. Make the lilac syrup:
   Gently rinse lilac blossoms and pat dry. In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to a low simmer until sugar dissolves. Stir in lilac blossoms and lemon juice. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let steep for 30–60 minutes. Strain and bottle. Chill before using.
2. Assemble the cream soda:
   Fill a glass with ice. Add lilac syrup, milk or cream, and top with soda water. Stir gently. The layers will swirl and create the dreamiest ombré effect.
3. Garnish & serve:
   Add a few lilac blossoms on top if you’re feeling fancy. Sip slow and enjoy the softest floral magic.

✿ Notes from the Kitchen ✿

This recipe is part of my seasonal collection, one of those little pleasures that remind me why I love slow living so much. You’re not just making a drink; you’re capturing a moment in time, when the lilacs bloom and everything feels a bit softer.