Citronella Plant Simple Syrup

This recipe for Citronella Plant Simple Syrup uses leaves from the Citronella Geranium (or Mosquito Plant), and infuses them into a sweet, fragrant syrup that’s perfect for sweetening herbal tea, lemonade, and cocktails!

I found out something exciting– something “plantastic.”

Earlier this year, a friend showed up at my front door with a green, aromatic beauty of a plant– a Citronella Geranium— and I’ve been smiling happily at it ever since.  And then, I found out it was edible!

After a little plant research, I gathered up a couple leaves, and infused them into a deliciously sweet Citronella Simple Syrup.

Is the Citronella Plant Edible?

It depends on the type of citronella plant.  The good news is– the two types look totally different from one another, so they’re easy to distinguish.

Edible Citronella Plant: 

We’re infusing Citronella Geranium, also known as a Citronella Flower, Mosquito Plant, or Pelargonium citrosum.

This type of citronella is a large, leafy geranium plant.  Both the flowers and leaves are scented, and both are edible.

For this syrup we’re using the leaves.

Inedible Citronella Plant:

The other type of citronella– the type we’re avoiding– is citronella grass.

Citronella grass has long, thin blades, and the oil from this plant is used for citronella bug repellent.

This plant isn’t known to be poisonous, but it’s more likely to produce an allergic reaction.  See a photo of citronella grass here.

Citronella Geranium (or Mosquito Plant)

How to Safely Eat Garden Flowers

If you’re an avid food gardener, you probably eat from your garden all the time!  However, if you’re planning on eating from your flower bed, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Pollutants: Avoid flowers near the roadway, or other sources of pollutants.  If you have flowers planted near an old fence or house, check to make sure there isn’t lead-based paint contaminating the soil.
• Insecticides: Avoid flowers that have been treated with insecticides.  Be especially careful with systemic insecticides, which introduce a poison throughout the plant (and then also to you when you eat it).
• Stinging Insects: When flowering plants are in bloom, they’ll attract bees.  Bees are good– they pollinate the plants– but watch where you place your hands when you’re harvesting.
• Correctly Identify the Plant: And finally, but maybe most importantly, make sure that you’re 100% sure that you know what you’re harvesting.

How to Use Citronella Plant Simple Syrup

• Use it to sweeten herbal tea or lemonade
• Swap it for the plain simple syrup in a Mint Julep
• Use it to sweeten a Gin + Tonic

Want more EDIBLE FLOWERS?  Try these:

• Lavender Lemonade
• Honeysuckle Simple Syrup
• Honeysuckle Vodka

Citronella Plant Simple Syrup

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 48 people

Calories: 16kcal

Author: Champagne Tastes

This recipe for Citronella Plant Simple Syrup uses leaves from the Citronella Geranium (or Mosquito Plant), and infuses them into a sweet, fragrant syrup that's perfect for sweetening herbal tea, lemonade, and cocktails!

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 citronella geranium (mosquito plant) leaves (Do not use citronella grass in this recipe)
• 4 mint leaves (optional)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water

Instructions

• Rinse the leaves by dipping them in a bowl of cool water.
• Add the leaves, sugar, and water to a small pot.  Bring to a boil, and then lower heat to medium.  Simmer 5 minutes.
• Strain leaves out of the syrup.  Store syrup in a glass jar or other container. Store in the fridge for up to a year.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 16kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Sugar: 4g

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