Lilac bushes are a springtime treat. The short week or two they bloom is one of my favorite times to go for walks outside. Lilac Jelly is a fun way to enjoy the lilac bloom all year long.

Here’s how to make Lilac Jelly

This is really a two-step process. First, we are going to make lilac tea, then we will make the jelly and can it.

Lilac Tea

Pick a bouquet of some lilac flowers. You will need enough to fill two cups packed full of the flowers without any stems or greenery.

Pull the flowers off the plant. Here’s what it will look like:

Bring 2 1/4 cups of water to a boil and pour over the lilac flowers. I did it in this metal bowl:

The flowers will wilt and die. That’s totally normal. Let the bowl sit on the counter overnight, or for a good part of the day. When the time has passed, strain the liquid out of the flowers and make sure you have 2 1/4 cups of tea. If it is a little less from evaporation or from not squeezing it all out from the flowers, then you can just add a little water to make it the full measurement.

Making Lilac Jelly

Now that your tea is made, making lilac jelly is very similar to many other kinds of jelly. You will need the following:

1. 2.25 cups lilac tea
2. 1/4 cup lemon juice
3. 4 cups sugar
4. 1 packet of powdered Sure Jell

Sanitize your jars and prepare them for the jell. While they are sanitizing, heat the lilac tea, lemon juice and Sure Jell in a medium pot until it boils. Then pour in all of the sugar. Keep heating it on high and stir the sugar into the liquid. Bring back to a hard boil (a boil that continues while stirring), and boil it for one minute.

Pour the hot jelly into the prepared cans leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Water bath for 10 minutes. Make sure the cans seal within 24 hours.

How to Use Lilac Jelly

Lilac jelly is very sweet and flowery. It has a wonderfully fresh and springtime taste to it. Use it like any jelly, or look at my favorite way to serve unique jellies: On cheese and crackers. This one is served on blue cheese.

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