Perhaps it’s a little bit too early in the week to be thinking about cocktails, but this lavender gin creation is worth dreaming about until you get the chance to try it. If you like fragrant, aromatic flavours or florals this might just be your perfect drink.
Infusing the lavender gin takes less than a week. On it’s own it makes a lovely gift, but mix it up with homemade cloudy lemonade and it’s my heaven.
I developed this fresh summer cocktail for one of my favourite brands – West Elm. Their blog has a wealth of interiors, food, drink and lifestyle inspiration and I’m so pleased to be able to contribute to that. If you have five minutes for gorgeous content, you really should head over there… after you’ve tried the recipe of course.
- 50ml / 25 ounces Gin
- 1 Tablespoon food grade lavender
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 2 Drops of violet food colouring (optional)
- 80 ml / 3 ounces lemon juice
- 45 ml / 1½ soda water
- 60 ml / 2 ounces simple syrup
- In a large sterilised bottle, combine the lavender, sugar and gin. Seal and leave in a cool dark place to infuse for 7 days.
- Taste the gin, adding more sugar if necessary or leaving to build up a heavier floral flavour if you wish.
- Once you’re satisfied with the results, strain through a muslin cloth of fine sieve to remove the lavender. At this point, you can enhance the colour by adding 2 drops of violet food colouring.
- Lavender gin is perfectly paired with homemade lemonade for a refreshing Summer cool down but it also works well in a straight up martini or topped with a splash of tonic and served neat over ice.
- Combine the lemon juice, soda water and simple syrup in a large jug. Pour in to a tumbler over ice
- Using the back of a bar spoon, pour 45ml of lavender gin slowly on to the top to create an ombre effect.
- Garnish with a sprig of lavender – the perfect stirring tool, or a spiral of lemon zest
I’d love to hear from you if you try this out, but if this all sounds too floral for you though, you might prefer a bramble cocktail. I love the ritual of making a more complex drink rather than just pouring a G&T, don’t you?
Alice says
Oh my, this sounds so delicious!! Gin with rosemary lemonade is amazing too- make a sugar syrup with rosemary, then use that to make lemonade with fresh lemon juice and sparkling water, and pour over gin and ice. Perfect!
Alice xx | The Cup and Saucer
Vicki Higham says
I need to try that! We have an abundance of fresh rosemary at the moment. I’ll let you know how I get on.
Melissa Wilson says
This looks so delicious. Gin is one of my favourite spirits, I am going to HAVE to try this!
Hayley says
This sounds amazing – I saw a post earlier about a make your own gin and tonic bar at a party, this would fit in well!
Kate @ Veggie Desserts says
These sound so amazing! I need to throw a cocktail bbq!
Vicki Higham says
I’ll await an invite 😉
Karen Young says
Hi! I even just made this lavender gin and it tastes amazing! How did you get yours to be that pale colour? Even with a couple of drops of violet food colouring it’s still a murky brown?!
Karin says
I would love to try it before i can give an opinion on the taste and mixing combinations
GLENDA KNIGHT says
When you say “food grade” lavender what does that mean?
Can’t I use lavender from my garden?
Is it just the leaves or can I use the flower as well?
Really want to try this as gin is my preferred tipple and lavender absolutely appeals to me.
Cheers!