Lavender Gin Cocktail (Tom Collins)

Ingredients:

This cocktail recipe is incredibly easy and only takes a few simple ingredients to make. The only ingredient you may need to order online is this dried lavender. You should also be able to find it at specialty grocery stores. I was able to find mine at World Market.

For the DIY Lavender Syrup:

• Dried Culinary Lavender
• White Cane Sugar or Brown Sugar
• Water
• Lemon Zest
• Pure Vanilla Extract, or vanilla bean

For the Lavender Gin Cocktail:

• Lavender Simple Syrup, see above
• Dry Gin, I used Hendrick’s which is vegan friendly
• Fresh Lemon Juice
• Club Soda, or use lemon flavored club soda for more citrus notes
• Sparkling Lemonade, optional

Substitutions & Add-Ins

See below for substitutions and other flavors that can be added to this delicious recipe.

• Gin: feel free to use your gin of choice. I used Hendrick’s but I’ve heard great things about Empress Gin which is also vegan and made with butterfly pea flowers for a beautiful violet/purple color. If you’re not a fan of gin, feel free to swap it for vodka or for more club soda to make a lavender mocktail!
• Sparkling Lemonade: if you don’t want to use sparkling lemonade or you want a more classic cocktail, swap it for more club soda.
• Lavender Bitters: add lavender bitters for more flavor and a more pronounced lavender aroma.
• Elderflower Liqueur: for a classic combo, add some elderflower liqueur to the dry gin.

Helpful Equipment

• Cocktail Shaker or Mason Jar
• Small Pot or Saucepan, to make the syrup
• Serving Glass, I used a coupe glass but you can use a highball glass or your favorite cocktail glass

Step-by-step Instructions

🍋 *Ingredient Quantities are in the Recipe Card Below!*

To Make the Homemade Lavender Syrup:

STEP 1: In a small saucepan or pot, add the dried lavender, sugar, lemon zest, and water. Simmer over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes. 

STEP 2: Gently stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves. The syrup should be slightly thicker in consistency but will continue to thicken as it cools.

STEP 3: Remove from the heat. Then, add the vanilla extract, if using. 

STEP 4: Next, pour the syrup through a metal sieve (to remove the lavender) into a sealable heat-proof jar or container. Let it cool completely at room temperature, then store in the fridge for up to a week. 

Make the Lavender Gin Cocktail (Tom Collins)

STEP 1: Juice the lemons and pour the fresh juice into the cocktail shaker with a handful of ice.

STEP 2: Then, add the simple syrup, dry gin, and club soda (soda water). Shake to combine.

STEP 3: Pour the sparkling lemonade into your serving glass and top with half of the shaken mixture from the cocktail shaker. 

Serving the Lavender Collins

Top the finished cocktail with thinly sliced lemons and a sprinkle of dried lavender. 

You can also garnish the drink with lemon twists and fresh lavender sprigs if you have them on hand!

Feel free to serve the cocktail over ice.

How to Store the Lavender Syrup

Transfer the lavender syrup to a clean, sealable airtight container or jar. 

For the best results, make sure the container has been sterilized or cleaned very well prior to filling it. This will help the syrup last longer.

Let the syrup cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, transfer the syrup to the fridge. 

The syrup can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.