What can I do with rose syrup?

…is something I often hear when I share my rose syrup with people. Rose syrup is a versatile delicacy, and can easily make simple treats into decadent indulgences. I originally started making an all organic, locally sourced rose syrup as an homage to Indian summers filled with magical, rosy hued treats – namely, rose milk, rose sharbat (rose syrup flavored ice water), and falooda, a whimsical dessert made of ice cream, milk, vermicelli noodles, holy basil seeds, and of course, rose syrup. After drinking way too much rose milk for about a week, I found that rose syrup is great with a lot of other things too! Use it anywhere you might use maple syrup or honey – it pairs delightfully with pancakes, crepes, waffles, cakes, ice cream, teas, lemonade… you name it. Here are a few of my favorite recipes:

Rose & Lychee Lemonade

1 medium or large lemon

1 tbsp rose syrup

1 tbsp honey

1-3 lychees

1 ½ cup water

Squeeze lemon, and mix lemon juice together with water, rose syrup, and honey. Peel lychees and remove seed – add to lemonade whole, or squeeze the lychee flesh and add the juice and pulp to the lemonade for a subtle lychee flavor.

Rose & Lime soda

1 Fever Tree club soda (or soda water of choice)

1 tbsp rose syrup

1 lime

Squeeze lime, and mix ingredients together for a refreshing artisanal soda!

Falooda (4 servings)

1-2 tbsp holy basil seeds (tukmaria)

½ cup vermicelli noodles

7 tbsp rose syrup

1 cup milk

4-8 scoops Vanilla ice cream

Whipped cream (optional)

Rose petals (optional)

Soak the holy basil seeds* in 1 tbsp of rose syrup. The seeds absorb a lot of water, so add water if necessary (you want the seeds to be a caviar-like consistency, not too clumpy). Cook vermicelli noodles in a pot of boiling water. Drain noodles and set aside in a bowl mixed with 1 tbsp of rose syrup. In four separate glasses, layer ice cream (1-2 scoops per glass), rose syrup soaked tukmaria, rose syrup soaked vermicelli noodles, and rose syrup (1 tbsp per glass), like a parfait. I like making 2-3 layers. Add ¼ cup milk to each glass. Add whipped cream to the top of each glass, then drizzle with the remaining rose syrup. Garnish with rose petals.

*add holy basil seeds to your preference – I love them so I use a lot!