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15 Delicious Lemon Balm Recipes to Brighten Your Day

Discover 15 delicious lemon balm recipes, from refreshing teas to zesty desserts. Learn how to use this versatile herb in your cooking and enjoy its bright, lemony flavor.

Scott Baker

— 6 min read
15 Delicious Lemon Balm Recipes to Brighten Your Day

Hey there, food lovers! I've got a treat for you today. Lemon balm, one of my favorite herbs, is taking center stage. This green powerhouse is like a refreshing breeze in your cooking. And the best part? You can use it in a variety of tasty ways!

I've scoured the internet to bring you the 15 most delicious lemon balm recipes around. Picture yourself savoring a cup of tea that's bursting with bright, citrusy notes, or drizzling a sweet lemon balm syrup over your morning pancakes. And when the temperatures rise, cool off with a scoop (or two!) of creamy lemon balm ice cream. These recipes will make you fall head over heels for the fresh, invigorating taste of lemon balm.

Why wait any longer? Dive into the kitchen and whip up some mouthwatering lemon balm recipes that'll tantalize your taste buds!

Table of Contents:

15 Delicious Lemon Balm Recipes to Try

If you're looking for ways to use up that bounty of lemon balm from your garden, you've come to the right place. As someone who's been experimenting with this fragrant herb for years, I've gathered up my all-time favorite lemon balm recipes to share with you.

Get ready to pucker up with these lip-smacking lemon balm recipes. From revitalizing teas to zippy syrups, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy the bright, citrusy flavor of fresh lemon balm leaves. Whip up a pitcher of thirst-quenching lemonade that's sure to be a hit at your next backyard bash. And for a truly indulgent treat, dive spoon-first into a bowl of velvety smooth lemon balm ice cream that's so good, you'll want to keep it all to yourself.

Lemon Balm Tea

On a hot summer day, nothing beats a tall glass of iced lemon balm tea. I love to steep a big batch using fresh lemon balm leaves, let it chill, then serve over ice. It's like a little bit of sunshine in a glass.

Lemon Balm Syrup

If you want to add a sweet, lemony kick to cocktails, iced tea, or lemonade, lemon balm syrup is the way to go. I simmer fresh lemon balm with sugar and water to make a concentrated simple syrup that's bursting with citrus flavor.

Lemon Balm Lemonade

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade... but why stop there? Elevate your summer sipping game with the enchanting aroma of lemon balm. A splash of homemade lemon balm simple syrup transforms ordinary lemonade into a refreshing masterpiece that'll leave you craving more.

1. Refreshing Lemon Balm Iced Tea

When the hot summer sun is beating down, I turn to this refreshing lemon balm tea to cool off. It's a breeze to make - just steep fresh lemon balm leaves in boiling water, let it chill, and serve over ice. Sometimes I'll add a sprig of fresh mint for an extra layer of flavor.

2. Sweet and Tangy Lemon Balm Syrup

This lemon balm simple syrup is a staple in my fridge all summer long. It's made by simmering fresh lemon balm leaves with equal parts sugar and water until the sugar dissolves and the syrup is infused with lemony goodness. I drizzle it over fruit salads, stir it into iced tea, and even use it to sweeten cocktails.

3. Zesty Lemon Balm Lemonade

When life gives you lemons (and lemon balm), make lemon balm lemonade. This is my go-to recipe for a crowd-pleasing summer sipper. I blend fresh lemon balm leaves with lemon juice, water, and lemon balm simple syrup for a drink that's equal parts sweet, tart, and refreshing.

4. Sparkling Lemon Balm Spritzer

For a fancy, effervescent twist on lemonade, try this honey lemon balm spritzer. I mix honey, lemon balm simple syrup, and sparkling water, then serve over ice with a sprig of fresh lemon balm. It's like a grown-up version of lemonade that's perfect for sipping on the porch.

5. Creamy Lemon Balm Ice Cream

I scream, you scream, we all scream for lemon balm ice cream. Infusing the ice cream base with fresh lemon balm leaves gives it a delicate, floral lemon flavor that's out of this world. I like to amp up the lemon factor even more with a bit of lemon zest or even a splash of lemon verbena. Trust me, it's worth the effort.

6. Lemon Balm Chicken Marinade

Lemon balm isn't just for sweets - it also makes a killer marinade for grilled chicken. I blend fresh lemon balm leaves with olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, and a splash of white wine vinegar for a marinade that's herbaceous, bright, and perfect for summer cookouts.

7. Lemon Balm Pesto

Pesto isn't just for basil. Lemon balm pesto is a revelation - the combination of lemon balm, olive oil, garlic, parmesan, and toasted nuts is fresh, zippy, and totally addictive. I toss it with pasta, spread it on sandwiches, and even use it as a topping for grilled fish or chicken.

8. Lemon Balm Vinaigrette

Brighten up your summer salads with this sunshine-in-a-bottle lemon balm vinaigrette. I blend fresh lemon balm leaves with olive oil, lemon juice, dijon mustard, and a touch of honey for a dressing that's tangy, sweet, and packed with herbal flavor. It's especially delicious on a salad with fresh berries and goat cheese.

9. Lemon Balm Butter

Compound butter is one of my secret weapons in the kitchen, and this lemon balm version is a summer favorite. I mix softened butter with finely chopped lemon balm leaves and lemon zest, then roll it into a log and chill until firm. It's heavenly sliced and melted over grilled corn, stirred into pasta, or slathered on crusty bread.

10. Lemon Balm Shortbread Cookies

These delicate, buttery shortbread cookies are flecked with finely chopped lemon balm leaves for a subtle herbal flavor that's perfectly balanced by the richness of the butter and the sweetness of the sugar. They're lovely with a cup of tea or as an elegant dessert after a summer meal.

11. Lemon Balm Pound Cake

Pound cake is always a crowd-pleaser, but this lemon balm version takes it to the next level. I infuse the batter with fresh lemon balm leaves and lemon zest for a cake that's moist, tender, and bursting with bright lemon flavor. A drizzle of lemon balm glaze takes it over the top.

12. Lemon Balm Scones

Scones are my go-to breakfast treat, and these lemon balm ones are a summer staple in my house. The combination of cold butter, lemon balm leaves, and lemon zest creates a scone that's flaky, tender, and packed with fresh flavor. I like to top mine with a sprinkle of sugar for a little extra crunch.

13. Lemon Balm Muffins

Indulge in a sunny morning treat with these irresistible muffins, bursting with the fresh flavors of lemon balm leaves and zest. Light, fluffy, and oh-so-tender, each bite is a delightful surprise. Slather on a generous pat of lemon balm butter for an extra dose of citrusy goodness that'll make your taste buds sing.

14. Lemon Balm Jelly

If you want to preserve the bright, fresh flavor of lemon balm all year round, try making a batch of lemon balm jelly. I steep fresh lemon balm leaves in boiling water to make an infused tea, then mix it with sugar and pectin to create a jelly that's sweet, tart, and bursting with herbal flavor. It's delicious on toast, stirred into yogurt, or even used as a glaze for grilled meats.

15. Lemon Balm Infused Vodka

For a grown-up twist on lemon balm, try infusing vodka with fresh lemon balm leaves. I fill a jar with lemon balm, cover it with vodka, and let it steep for a few days until the vodka is infused with a delicate lemon flavor. It's delicious sipped on its own or mixed into cocktails like a lemon verbena martini or a lemon balm Moscow mule.

Key Takeaway: 

Turn your garden's lemon balm bounty into refreshing teas, tangy syrups, and zesty desserts. These 15 recipes will make sure you never run out of ways to enjoy its bright flavor.

Conclusion

Wow, what a journey through the world of lemon balm recipes! We've explored so many delicious ways to use this sunny little herb, from soothing teas to zesty syrups and even creamy ice cream.

Feeling inspired to whip up something delightful in your kitchen? Lemon balm's zesty, refreshing flavor is the perfect ingredient to liven up your favorite recipes. From thirst-quenching beverages on a hot day to mouthwatering desserts with a citrusy twist, lemon balm is your go-to herb for culinary creativity.

If you're lucky enough to find lemon balm at the farmers market or if it's thriving in your garden, seize the opportunity and give these recipes a whirl. I guarantee your taste buds will be dancing with joy. Here's to happy cooking and savoring the flavors, my friend!

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