A runner, N, at the recent Grafton 15k Trail Run came up to me after the race and mentioned that he's been looking for wild violets to use to make a simple syrup to give as gifts and wondered if I knew of a good spot. I'd never heard of wild violets before, or even noticed them. But as I walked around my neighborhood I started seeing them everywhere. And after getting a bunch of rain they have popped up in large quantities in some places.
![](https://jstookey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PXL_20230425_225904167-768x1024.jpg)
I found a dense patch of them next to some tennis courts near my house and picked a bunch. I took them home and steeped them for 24 hours.
![](https://jstookey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PXL_20230425_225605188-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://jstookey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PXL_20230425_232927686-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://jstookey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PXL_20230425_234515237-1024x768.jpg)
Adding the resulting infusion to seltzer gave it amazing color:
![](https://jstookey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PXL_20230426_210550512-768x1024.jpg)
And of course I had to add it to homemade cider, which gave it a nice color and added an interesting twist to the flavor:
![](https://jstookey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PXL_20230426_211043297-1024x768.jpg)