Rosa Rugosa and Rose Syrup

True rose fragrance has almost disappeared from our gardens. With all the hybrids abounding our roses are now weak, needing many chemicals to survive, and the wonderful smell has gone. Granted, to have roses survive the humid South is hard, but I am thankful I gave this old bush variety a try. They are perfect for what I want: fragrance, hardiness ( I use no chemicals), and rose hips. Did I mention no chemical sprays? None! Pests seem to leave them alone along with the fungus. They are a true bush variety. They don't grow long vines and they spread rapidly forming a nice hedge.

Rose Syrup is one of my favorite ways to use the fragrant rose petals. Making rose honey and rosewater or my other favorite things to do with roses. Below is my favorite and easy rose syrup recipe.

Rose Syrup

1 cup of dried rose petals

1 cup of fresh rose petals

2 cups of sugar

2 cups of water

1. Measure out the rose petals into a bowl and sprinkle lightly with sugar. Mash the petal with hands.

2. Place sugar and water into a medium pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil gently without stirring for 2-3 minutes. This will thicken the syrup. Remove from heat.

3. Add the rose petals and stir gently to dissolve any sugar on rose petals. Cover and steep for 3-6 hours. The longer you let the petals sit in syrup the more fragrant.

4. Strain mixture and gently squeeze any syrup out of the petals. Pour into jar and label. This syrup will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.

What can you do with Rose Syrup? First thing, for those who make drinks, this is a simple syrup, so any recipe calling for simple syrup you can substitute this wonderfully fragrant syrup.

Pink Lemonade

2 tablespoons of rose syrup

2 1/2 cups of chilled soda

1 tablespoon of mint leaves

2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice

6 tablespoons of powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoons of salt

1. Combine 1 tablespoon of mint leaves with 1 tablespoon of water in a mortar and pestle and crush lightly.

2. Combine the mint leaf mixture, rose syrup, lemon juice, powdered sugar, and salt in a pitcher and mix well.

3. Add the chilled soda and serve immediately. Adding ice will weaken the drink, so make sure your soda is well chilled.