Rev. Colleen Irwin

Saving Spring: Simple Ways to Preserve Lilacs

Lilacs are about to end their spectacular show this year, but did you know you can save some of the beauty for baking and cooking?  If you’ve ever walked through Highland Park in May, you know the magic of lilac season in Rochester. The scent hangs in the air like a sweet whisper, and for just a few short weeks, the city feels wrapped in purple and light.

But the truth is—lilacs don’t last long.

That’s part of what makes them so special, but it also means we have to get creative if we want to enjoy them after the petals fall. Luckily, there are a few easy, heartfelt ways to preserve that beauty and bring a little lilac magic into the rest of your year.

Whether you use them in baking, tea, or even your garden rituals, here are my favorite ways to keep lilacs close—long after the festival ends.

Freeze the Blossoms

This is the simplest way to keep lilacs on hand for later.

• Gently rinse and dry the petals.
• Remove any green parts (they’re bitter).
• Spread the petals out on a tray and freeze.
• Once frozen, store in an airtight container.
• Use within 2–3 months in syrups, sugar, or baked goods.

Lilac Sugar

Subtle and fragrant, this sugar adds a floral note to tea, cookies, or shortbread.

• Layer clean, dry petals with sugar in a jar.
• Let it sit for 3–5 days, shaking gently each day.
• Sift out the petals before using.

Lilac Syrup

A beautiful addition to sparkling water, cocktails, or even a spring cake glaze.

• Simmer 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar until dissolved.
• Remove from heat and add 1 cup lilac blossoms.
• Let steep for 30–60 minutes, then strain.
• Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Lilac-Infused Honey

This is one of my favorites. It’s so simple and tastes like spring.

• Fill a small jar with fresh petals.
• Pour raw honey over the blossoms.
• Let it infuse for 1–2 weeks.
• Use in tea, on toast, or drizzled over fruit or cheese.

Lilac Vinegar

Delicate and lovely in homemade vinaigrettes.

• Loosely pack a jar with lilac blossoms.
• Cover fully with white wine or champagne vinegar.
• Steep for 1–2 weeks, then strain and bottle.

A Few Quick Tips About Using Lilacs:

• Only use blossoms from untreated bushes—no pesticides.
• Harvest in the morning when their scent is strongest.
• Shake off any bugs, rinse gently, and pat dry before using.

Preserving lilacs feels a little like bottling up joy. It’s a quiet ritual that connects us to the seasons, to beauty, and to those small, fleeting moments that ask us to pause and pay attention.

If you try any of these, I’d love to hear how it goes—or what you end up creating! Let spring linger a little longer this year.