The Unexpected Syrup Flavor You Need To Add To Your Coffee ASAP

Of the long list of additions that will give your coffee a flavor boost, lavender isn't the strangest, but it's certainly one of the most delicious. Whether you're in the mood to try something new or just want an alternative to your favorite homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe, lavender espresso drinks are a fantastic place to start. Not only will the floral syrup add a beautiful aroma to steamed milk or make a whimsical topping for your beverage in the form of candied blossoms, it's also shockingly tasty when paired with coffee.

These two flavors may at first seem mismatched because of coffee's notoriously acidic bitterness and lavender's herbaceous, astringent notes. However, when combined in the right ratio, lavender's aroma brings coffee's natural fruity sweet undertones forward, while coffee's richness enhances the soothing fragrance — which is where the bulk of lavender syrup's flavor comes from. Milk and sweetener are also key ingredients to help bridge the gap between these flavors, so if you're planning on drizzling some leftover simple syrup from your sweet lavender old fashioned recipe into black coffee, it's best to add a dollop of whole milk or cream, as well.

The reason for this is that fat and sweetness are the great equalizers when it comes to flavors that can easily overwhelm the palate. Together, they soften the harsh and bitter edges of the main ingredients, further elevating the subtleties that each brings out in the other. The result is a gorgeously muted floral latte that simultaneously awakens your brain while soothing your senses.

The biggest risk when using lavender as a flavoring is that its beautiful floral nuances can quickly become bitter or soapy if it's overused — which is very easy to do, since the flavor is so strong. Even tempered by sugar in a simple syrup, you have to be careful to add it to taste until you find the right flavor levels for your palate. Though some recipes call for up to 2 tablespoons of lavender syrup per beverage, it's best to start with about a ½ tablespoon and increase the amount gradually until you can taste both the coffee and the lavender in perfect tandem with each other.

Additionally, it may be best to choose espresso over brewed coffee for this recipe. Espresso is a little neutron star of flavor-packed goodness that's well suited to being gently diluted by other ingredients, while brewed coffee's flavor can easily disappear into additives like syrups and heavy cream. That means espresso can more easily lean against and balance lavender's distinct fragrance and flavor.

It's also perfectly okay to add some fruit-flavored syrups to your coffee along with the lavender to help ease you into the world of herb-forward lattes. Lavender and blueberries are a classic combination, as are lavender and orange, which can bring out the chocolate notes in your espresso. Blackberry is also a good choice, boasting a dark fruitiness that's not too sweet, while a coconut syrup not only gives your espresso a tropical upgrade, but also mellows out the other flavors beautifully.