You’re going to enjoy this one.
A Lavender Lemon Collins is a light, refreshing drink that is a little bit elegant but not too hard to make.
This is the best drink for when you want to feel like you’re at a fancy cocktail club but are really just relaxing at home.
The lavender offers a hint of floral flavor that balances the lemon, and the soda water makes everything taste great.
Believe me, this is a great recipe for backyard barbecues, brunches, or just for yourself.
Let’s do it!
Tools and Ingredients
Tools needed:
- Shaker for cocktails
- A measuring tool or jigger
- Strainer
- A tall glass
- A little pot for making lavender syrup
- Spoon made of wood
Lavender Simple Syrup Ingredients (make a few days ahead and refrigerate)
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons of dried culinary lavender
Cocktail Ingredients
- 2 ounces of gin (or vodka for a change)
- 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice, which is around half a lemon
- 1 ounce of lavender simple syrup (see recipe below)
- Soda water (on top)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh lavender sprigs and lemon slices for decoration
How to Make Lavender Simple Syrup
- Put 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of water, and 2 tablespoons of dried culinary lavender in a small pot.
- Stir the sugar into the hot water until it dissolves.
- Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then take it off the fire and let it cool.
- Remove the lavender pieces by straining.
- Put it in a jar that doesn’t let air in and put it in the fridge.
Making the Lavender Lemon Collins Cocktail
- Get your shaker ready: Put 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice, 1 ounce of lavender simple syrup, and a handful of ice cubes in your cocktail shaker. Shake well for 15 to 20 seconds.
- Strain and pour: Pour the mixture through a strainer into a tall glass with ice.
- Add soda water on top: Fill the rest of the glass with soda water and whisk it gently to mix.
- Add a garnish and serve: For decoration, add a lemon slice and a sprig of fresh lavender. Serve right away!
Tips and Variations
- Don’t use too much lavender. A small amount can go a long way. If you eat too much, it can taste like soap, so keep it mild.
- Use lemon juice that is fresh. There is no bottled stuff here; that makes all the difference in the taste.
- Put your glass in the fridge first. To keep your drink colder for longer, put it in the freezer for a few minutes.
- Prepare the lavender syrup ahead of time. It will last approximately two weeks in the fridge, so you’ll always have some.
- Get the kids involved! You may prepare a colorful floral lemonade for them to drink if you leave out the alcohol.
- No gin? For a fun change, try vodka or perhaps tequila instead.
- If you don’t want to drink alcohol, leave out the gin and add extra soda water or sparkling lemonade.
- Do you not have any lavender? For a different herbal flavor, use thyme or rosemary.
- Option with less sugar: Use less lavender syrup or switch to a sugar-free variety.
Storage and Serving Advice
You can keep lavender simple syrup in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to two weeks if you have some left over.
Make your mixed drinks fresh when you’re ready to drink them because they don’t keep well.
The End
This Lavender Lemon Collins is like a glass of sunshine—bright, fizzy, and a little flowery.
You can easily make it for yourself on a cold night, and it’s nice enough to amaze your friends at your next get-together.
Please tell me how yours turns out in the comments!
Did you attempt the mocktail version or add any interesting twists?
I can’t wait to hear everything. Cheers! 🥂