Lavender Earl Grey Dream Shake

Introduction

Transform simple ingredients into a sophisticated and utterly delightful Earl Grey Lavender Milkshake! This dreamy drink is perfect for a relaxing afternoon or a special treat, proving that even the most elegant flavors can be easy to make at home. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this unbelievably creamy and aromatic milkshake!

Why This Works

This recipe works because it perfectly balances the bright citrus notes of Earl Grey tea with the calming floral aroma of lavender. The result is a milkshake that’s both sophisticated and comforting, and incredibly easy to whip up! It’s the perfect blend of unexpected flavors that create a truly memorable treat.

Key Ingredients

• 🥛 2 cups whole milk
• ☕️ 2 Earl Grey tea bags
• 💜 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender
• 🍦 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 🍯 2 tablespoons honey (or to taste)

Instructions

1️⃣ Brew the Tea: In a small saucepan, combine the milk and lavender. Heat over medium-low heat until just steaming (do not boil). Remove from heat and add the Earl Grey tea bags. Steep for 10-15 minutes, allowing the lavender and tea to infuse the milk. Remove tea bags and discard.
2️⃣ Cool the Milk: Let the infused milk cool completely. This is important to prevent your milkshake from melting too quickly.
3️⃣ Blend it Up: In a blender, combine the cooled milk, vanilla ice cream, and honey. Blend until smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk.
4️⃣ Taste and Adjust: Taste your milkshake and add more honey if you prefer it sweeter.
5️⃣ Serve & Enjoy: Pour into glasses and serve immediately. Garnish with a sprinkle of lavender buds (optional) for an extra touch of elegance.

Handy Tips

• For a stronger lavender flavor, use 1 ½ tablespoons of dried culinary lavender.
• If you don’t have honey, you can use maple syrup or simple syrup instead.
• Make sure your milk is completely cool before blending to prevent a watery milkshake.

Heat Control

Heating the milk gently is crucial. Boiling the milk can scorch it and affect the flavour. We want to gently infuse the milk with the lavender and Earl Grey for the best results.

Crunch Factor

While this milkshake is delightfully smooth and creamy, you can add a crunch factor by adding a few crushed lavender shortbread cookies or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

• For an even smoother milkshake, strain the infused milk through a fine-mesh sieve before blending to remove any small lavender buds.
• To make it ahead of time, prepare the infused milk and store it separately in the refrigerator. Blend with ice cream just before serving.
• For a richer flavor, use full-fat milk or even cream for a truly decadent treat.

Storage Tips

Leftover milkshake should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, it’s best enjoyed fresh! The ice cream may start to melt and affect the texture over time.

Gift Packaging Ideas

This milkshake is perfect for a special occasion! To make it a truly giftable treat, consider serving it in mason jars decorated with ribbon and lavender sprigs. You could also add a small bag of lavender-flavored cookies for an extra special touch.

Flavor Variations

🌟 Rose Earl Grey: Replace the lavender with a tablespoon of rose water for a floral twist.
🌟 Citrus Burst: Add the zest of one lemon or orange to the milk while it’s steeping.
🌟 Spiced Earl Grey: Add a pinch of cinnamon and cardamom to the milk while it’s steeping.
🌟 Mocha Lavender: Add 1-2 tablespoons of good quality cocoa powder to the blender along with the other ingredients for a mocha twist.

Troubleshooting

• Milkshake too thin: Add more ice cream.
• Milkshake too thick: Add a splash more milk.
• Lavender flavor too strong: Reduce the amount of lavender used next time.

FAQ

Q: Can I use fresh lavender? A: Yes, but you’ll need significantly more (about 3-4 tablespoons of fresh culinary lavender flowers) and it should be thoroughly rinsed.

Q: What kind of ice cream should I use? A: Vanilla ice cream is recommended to let the Earl Grey and lavender flavours shine, but you could experiment with other flavours, keeping in mind that the flavours of the ice cream would interact with the others, so it could be interesting or overwhelming.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time? A: It’s best made fresh, but you can prepare the infused milk ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Blend with the ice cream just before serving.

Q: Is this suitable for kids? A: Absolutely! It’s a delicious and relatively healthy treat, adjusting the honey to taste will help to make it more suitable to children’s palettes. However, ensure that the lavender used is specifically culinary-grade lavender, as other types may not be suitable for consumption.

Q: Where can I find culinary lavender? A: Many grocery stores, health food stores, and online retailers carry culinary lavender. Make sure it’s specifically labeled for culinary use, as other types of lavender are not intended for consumption.

Conclusion

This Earl Grey Lavender Milkshake is sure to become a family favorite! Its unique flavor combination and simple preparation make it perfect for any occasion. Share it with your loved ones, and don’t forget to rate and review this recipe on Rate My Recipes! Enjoy!