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Dandelion Syrup

2009 April 30
by 5 Orange Potatoes

We made dandelion syrup this week for a pick me up to a very rainy day. It is very easy to make, but a little time consuming. You need to put at least 12 hours aside to let the dandelion tops steep and then need 2 hours to simmer the syrup. Perfect activity for a chilly and rainy spring day.


For dandelion syrup you need about 250 dandelion tops (give or take a few),1 lemon, 4 C water, and 2 pounds of sugar (I love organic cane sugar for this).

Put the dandelion tops in 4 C water, bring the water to a boil then cover and simmer for an hour. Let cool and place in the refrigerator overnight for the dandelions to continue to steep in the water.
The next day strain the tops from the water. Mix the water with 2 lbs of sugar and the freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon. Simmer for about 2 hours, until the water evaporates. This is how the water looks when the lemon and sugar have been added.

After 2 hours, a froth should form on the surface of the syrup (see photo below). Take the syrup off of the heat and let cool. It should thicken as it cools.

After cooling, your syrup should look like this. Cane sugar tends to create a pretty amber color when made into a syrup, I’ve never tried it with processed sugar, the color may be different.


The Little Ladies could eat it by the spoonfuls! It has a very earthy sweet taste.


Araina licked her spoon clean. Tomorrow we will put the dandelion syrup on homemade waffles for breakfast.

You could follow this same recipe but replace the dandelions with violets or mint or any other herb you have handy. Ohhhh, rose petal syrup would be tasty too. For more dandelion fun visit dandelion octopus, beautiful pollinators, and dandelion prints.

34 Responses
  1. annie permalink
    December 14, 2009

    Could you do the water in batches? We don’t have that many, but with mine and my mom’s combined, I think I could get enough.

    I am going to try and make my water today and hers tomorrow

  2. Lisa permalink
    June 11, 2009

    SCCC, sounds like you used less dandelions and water. It will probably just thicken in the fridge. As soon as it starts to thicken is when you should take it off the heat. Sorry if my directions misrepresented this.

    Lisa

  3. ScottChrisCoriCassiCali permalink
    June 9, 2009

    I tried this today and after bringing the water/dandelions to a boil and simmering for an hour I hardly had any water left. I didn't count out the dandelion heads exactly but I think I was fairly close. Will it change over night in the fridge? I am putting them there now but I am wondering where the additional fluid will come from. Have you had this problem?

  4. Lisa permalink
    June 4, 2009

    Alchemille, I think dandelion leaves would be fine. Enjoy!

  5. Alchemille permalink
    June 4, 2009

    There aren't many wild dandelions in town, but I can get dandy leaves at the farmers market.
    Do you think this recipe would also work with a bunch of dandelion leaves instead of the flowers?

  6. Jeanine permalink
    May 30, 2009

    Delicious!! I have a fairly healthy “crop” of dandelions, so figured, why not! I tried your recipe (found it through Tip Nut), and it is really, really good! I may have to make another batch! Thanks! :)

  7. Tammie Lee permalink
    May 21, 2009

    This post is gorgeous and sounds so yummy. I made a syrup like this last year and it was delicious.

  8. Stacey permalink
    May 9, 2009

    I got the link to your blog from my sister-in-law who thought I would be interested in making this syrup, here in New York we have plenty of dandelions this time of year. I decided to make this syrup for my mother-in-law for mother’s day, hope she likes it, it smells yummy. I never knew you could do these things with dandelions, I have more appreciation for them now.

  9. schmobes permalink
    May 4, 2009

    I knew there was a reason our yard was covered in dandelions! This is great, can’t wait to try it!

  10. sarah in the woods permalink
    May 2, 2009

    I’d love to try this! Looks good.

  11. affectioknit permalink
    May 2, 2009

    That looks so yummy – I’ve never had Dandelion syrup – but we like the greens…

  12. Siayla permalink
    May 1, 2009

    Wow! from dandelions and it tastes good? I might just have to see it to believe it :)

  13. Michelle permalink
    May 1, 2009

    This looks so good! Now to find dandelions that have been treated!

  14. Anet permalink
    May 1, 2009

    Okay I’ve have never heard of dandelion syrup…Where have I been?

  15. Chrissy permalink
    May 1, 2009

    Fascinating. I will definitely have to try this one day! Just linked you up at http://www.onecraftyplace.com. Thanks for sharing!

  16. Kelly permalink
    May 1, 2009

    Delicious. We would love to try this!!

  17. Annie permalink
    May 1, 2009

    Oh we must make this!

  18. kenan and tree permalink
    May 1, 2009

    Very interesting! i’ve made sweet violet syrup before, but never dandelion! Going to have to try it! We tried making Dandelion wine a few years ago, but it didn’t turn out at all. Been wanting to try it again, but the kids always pick all my dandelions. :) fun stuff! i really enjoy your blog, that you for sharing.

  19. Mary permalink
    May 1, 2009

    Amazing! What a wonderful idea! We will have to give it a try, we have violets and lemon verbena we could use too! Thanks for posting about this!

  20. jane permalink
    May 1, 2009

    This is such a great idea. I can´t wait to see my kids´faces when I have this with pancakes! Un beso!

  21. Dawn permalink
    May 1, 2009

    This looks like so much fun to try. Thank you for the recipe.

  22. Julie permalink
    May 1, 2009

    Thanks for sharing. I would like to utilize the dandelions in our yard, and apart from a dandelion wine recipe, this is the first recipe I’ve come across. I think my boys would be up for the task:)

  23. dongdong permalink
    May 1, 2009

    that is so fun and sure sounds yum. I’m not sure where to find so many dandelions that I know for sure hasn’t been treated/sprayed… but it sounds wonderful. All the interesting stuff you post just keeps me coming back for more.:)

  24. Leanne permalink
    April 30, 2009

    Wow so amazing! I have only had dandelions roasted as tea!

  25. Tara permalink
    April 30, 2009

    Wow… I didn’t expect the dark amber color.

    You girls are all so clever :0)

  26. ladybug-zen permalink
    April 30, 2009

    that sounds amazing!
    enjoy it on the waffles!

  27. Joy permalink
    April 30, 2009

    Yum! Our horse fields are teeming with dandelions so I might have to send the kids out there to pick!

  28. Artistmama permalink
    April 30, 2009

    Yum! You're making me crave pancakes & dandelion syrup!

  29. Amber permalink
    April 30, 2009

    Yum :)

  30. Cinnamon Swirl permalink
    April 30, 2009

    great idea. i’ve been picking dandelion heads last weekend to make so wine but I’m definetaly trying to make syrup this weekend. thanx for the recipe.

  31. jumbleberryjam permalink
    April 30, 2009

    That’s so cool! And yummy sounding/looking, too :-)

  32. Erin permalink
    April 30, 2009

    Oh thanks for the recipe and the great pics to go with it. We are gonna try this tomorrow!
    Peace.

  33. Toni permalink
    April 30, 2009

    that sounds so yummy, and tasty, I think my neighbor has about 250 dandelions in her field maybe I can get the kids to gather them.Wild violet syrup sounds wonderful too.

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