How to Make Lavender Cold Brew: The Perfect Summer Beverage for Work or Play

How a Suisun Valley flower farm taught me to create the ultimate summer coffee experience

Whether you're powering through afternoon meetings from your home office or need a refreshing break between client calls, I've perfected a lavender cold brew recipe that transforms your summer coffee routine into something extraordinary. After six weeks of experimenting at HvH Specialty Growers during their Lavender U-Pick season, this recipe captures the essence of summer mornings in Suisun Valley.

The Partnership That Started It All

Lisa Haas has been growing cut flowers since 1995, but when she and her husband Ron purchased their 11-acre family flower farm in 2020, they created something special: a Suisun Valley destination built around seasonal agritourism events. During their summer Lavender U-Pick season, Ron suggested I experiment with their Phenomenal culinary lavender—a stronger variety that required careful balancing to complement rather than overpower our coffee.

What started as Ron's suggestion became weeks of testing, measuring, and refining. The result? A cold brew recipe that captures the essence of summer mornings in Suisun Valley.

Why Phenomenal Lavender Changes Everything

Not all lavender is created equal. Most culinary lavender varieties are mild and sweet, but Phenomenal lavender packs significantly more punch. This means:

  • Stronger flavor concentration requires less quantity
  • Shorter steeping times prevent overwhelming the coffee
  • More complex flavor profile with floral, slightly camphor notes
  • Better preservation of the coffee's natural characteristics

The Perfect Lavender Cold Brew Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz Harvest Blend Coarse Ground coffee
  • 1 gallon filtered water
  • 1 canvas or biodegradable filter bag
  • 1½ tablespoons fresh Phenomenal culinary lavender (or 1 tablespoon dried)
  • 1 cup water (for syrup)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Cold Brew Base Method:
  1. Place 12 oz coarse ground coffee in canvas or biodegradable filter bag
  2. Secure bag tightly to prevent grounds from escaping
  3. Place coffee bag in 1-gallon jug
  4. Fill jug with filtered water, leaving about 1 inch of headspace
  5. Gently agitate jug to ensure water saturates the coffee bag
  6. Steep for 12 hours at room temperature (or 24 hours refrigerated)
  7. Remove filter bag and discard (compost if biodegradable)
  8. Store concentrate refrigerated for up to 2 weeks

Lavender Simple Syrup:

  1. Bring water and sugar to a rolling boil
  2. Add lavender, reduce heat to low
  3. Simmer for 8 minutes (shorter than typical varieties due to Phenomenal's strength)
  4. Remove from heat, let cool for 10 minutes
  5. Strain out lavender using fine mesh strainer
  6. Cool completely before storing
  7. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks

Serving:

  • 1 cup cold brew concentrate
  • 1-2 tablespoons lavender syrup (start with less!)
  • Ice and cold water or milk to taste

Why Harvest Blend Coarse Ground Works Perfectly

Our Harvest Blend Coarse Ground isn't just convenient—it's specifically designed for cold brew success:

  • Optimal grind size prevents over-extraction during long steeping
  • Consistent particle size ensures even extraction and smooth flavor
  • Reduced bitterness from proper grind sizing
  • Enhanced flavor clarity that complements botanical additions

Perfect for Professional Life

This lavender cold brew isn't just a summer treat—it's the ideal beverage for today's working professional:

  • Home office productivity: Smooth, sustained energy without the jitters
  • Workplace refreshment: Impressive alternative to basic iced coffee
  • Video call confidence: No bitter aftertaste or coffee breath
  • Afternoon focus: Lower acidity prevents energy crashes
  • Batch efficiency: One gallon lasts all week for busy schedules

Alternative Cold Brew Methods

French Press Method (8-12 hours):

  • Use same coffee-to-water ratio
  • Steep 8-12 hours, then press and serve
  • Advantage: Built-in filtration system
  • Best for: Smaller batches, controlled steeping

Cold Drip Method (3-4 hours):

  • Requires cold drip tower or dripper
  • Slower extraction, more concentrated flavor
  • Advantage: More control over extraction speed
  • Best for: Purists who want maximum control
  • Mason Jar Method (12-24 hours):
  • Simplest method using basic kitchen tools
  • Strain through multiple coffee filters
  • Advantage: No special equipment needed
  • Best for: Beginners or occasional cold brew makers
  • Troubleshooting Common Issues

Too Strong/Bitter:

  • Reduce steeping time to 8-10 hours
  • If using other whole bean selections: Use slightly coarser grind
  • Dilute with more water when serving

Too Weak:

  • Increase steeping time to 16-18 hours
  • If using other whole bean selections: Use slightly finer grind or increase coffee quantity
  • Use less water when serving
  • Ensure coffee bag is fully saturated during steeping

Overpowering Lavender:

  • Reduce lavender in syrup by half
  • Shorter syrup steeping time (5-6 minutes)
  • Add syrup gradually when serving

Filter Bag Issues:

  • Ensure bag is food-grade and designed for brewing
  • Check that bag is securely closed before steeping
  • Gently squeeze bag before removing to extract maximum flavor

Beyond Lavender: Seasonal Syrup Variations

Farm Fresh Mint Syrup:

  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
  • 10 minutes steeping time
  • Perfect for afternoon energy boosts
  • Rosemary Honey Syrup:
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
  • Replace half the sugar with honey
  • 8 minutes steeping time

Vanilla Bean Syrup:

  • 1 vanilla bean (split and scraped)
  • 12 minutes steeping time
  • Classic complement to any coffee

The Science Behind Cold Brew

Cold brewing extracts different compounds than hot brewing:

  • 67% less acid than hot brewing methods
  • Higher caffeine concentration per ounce
  • Smoother flavor profile with less bitterness
  • Longer shelf life (up to 2 weeks refrigerated)

Equipment Recommendations

Essential:

  • 1-gallon glass jug or large container
  • Canvas or biodegradable filter bags
  • Fine mesh strainer (for syrup)
  • Airtight storage containers

Upgrade Options:

  • Cold brew maker with built-in filtration
  • Burr grinder for consistent coarse grinding (if using whole beans)
  • Cold drip tower for advanced brewing

Serving Suggestions

Morning Boost:

  • 1:1 ratio concentrate to water
  • Splash of oat milk
  • Light lavender syrup sweetening

Afternoon Refresh:

  • 1:2 ratio concentrate to water
  • Extra ice
  • Generous lavender syrup

Evening Treat:

  • 1:1 ratio concentrate to milk
  • Vanilla ice cream float
  • Drizzle of lavender syrup

Making It Your Own

The beauty of cold brew lies in customization. Start with our base recipe, then experiment:

  • Adjust steeping time based on your taste preferences
  • Try different milk alternatives (oat, almond, coconut)
  • Combine multiple syrups for complex flavor profiles
  • Experiment with serving temperatures and ice styles
  • The Community Connection

This recipe represents more than just a drink—it's a celebration of local partnerships and seasonal ingredients. Every cup connects you to Ron and Lisa's sustainable farming practices, their commitment to agritourism, and the broader community of conscious consumers who support local agriculture.

When you make this lavender cold brew, you're participating in a network of relationships that extends from Suisun Valley's flower farms to coffee farms around the world. It's community building, one cup at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does cold brew last?

Cold brew concentrate stays fresh for up to 2 weeks refrigerated, making it perfect for busy professionals who want consistent quality without daily preparation.

Can I make cold brew without special equipment?

Yes! Our gallon-batch method only requires a filter bag and jug—no expensive equipment needed for professional-quality results.

What's the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?

Cold brew is steeped cold for 12-24 hours, creating 67% less acid and smoother flavor—perfect for sensitive stomachs and sustained workplace energy. Iced coffee, on the other hand, is brewed hot directly over ice, using either twice the amount of coffee grounds or half the amount of water to account for ice melting and dilution. While iced coffee is faster to make, cold brew provides superior flavor consistency and longer shelf life.

Is this suitable for workplace sharing?

Absolutely! The gallon batch serves 8-10 cups, making it ideal for team meetings, office gatherings, or sharing with colleagues.

Ready to Start Your Cold Brew Journey?

Summer's peak season is the perfect time to master cold brew techniques. Whether you're using our Harvest Blend Coarse Ground or experimenting with other origins, the key is consistency, patience, and quality ingredients.

Try our (link here) specifically designed for cold brew success.

 

 

Recipe Background: Inspired by six weeks of partnership with HvH Specialty Growers during their 2025 Lavender U-Pick season, working alongside Ron and Lisa Haas.

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