Turn any cocktail into a fresh and floral elixir when you use a little Lavender Syrup.
When I was a freshman in college, I had some of the most memorable and formative experiences of my life. Being raised as an Army Brat, my upbringing was pretty sheltered. Even though our family was well-traveled, having to move to a new post every few years, that military bubble is a very exclusive one, almost a separate society within society. I used to joke we were like the Amish, but with paratroopers.
So that first year away from home, on a campus filled with other excited and open-minded young adults out on their own for the first time, wasn’t just a memorable one, like I mentioned before, it was unforgettable. There are moments that I think about every day, quite honestly, and people, too. I was dating a young lady within my first few months of starting school, a fascinating and lovely girl with a love for long flowing princess dresses, movies like Labyrinth and The Last Unicorn, and bands such as Mazzy Star. Her dorm room always smelled magical, like lavender, and soft, wistful light always filled her space.
That aura that she had still stays with me to this day, as does the lovely scent she filled her surroundings with. And as I was looking over tonight’s recipe for the subtly floral and delicate-tasting lavender syrup, I can’t help but wonder how she’s doing these days, and if she still loves the smell of lavender.
What are the best ingredients to use to make lavender syrup?
Similar to making homemade Simple Syrup, this mixture is comprised of only water and sugar, which is boiled together along with dried culinary-grade lavender buds as recommended by our recipe. This will give your syrup that flowery, fresh, and evocative taste you’re seeking.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons dried culinary-grade lavender buds
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and dried lavender buds.
- Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir continuously until the sugar has completely dissolved. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a low simmer. Let it simmer gently for 2 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Cover it and let the lavender buds steep in the warm syrup for at least 30 minutes.
- Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean glass jar or bottle. Let the syrup cool completely and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Nutrition
What glassware is used?
Once your syrup is cooled down, transfer it from the saucepan into a resealable and airtight Mason jar or glass bottle, then keep it in your fridge to keep it chilled in between uses.
What is the best type of lavender to use in this recipe?
It appears that an English variety of lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, is the optimal choice for making your syrup with. This type of flora features a delicate and less potent flavor, ideal for mixing and cooking as it won’t overwhelm your drink or cuisine with too perfumy a bouquet.
Lavender syrup cocktails worth trying
I like to have a few different mixing syrups on hand, specifically for mixed drinks, as they’re able to lend some easy variety to whatever it is you’re making. If you’re curious about what you can craft using your freshly-made lavender syrup, you can simply experiment with some of your favorites. Try it in these classic drinks to see how a little lavender can shift the vibe.
- Lavender Lemon Drop Martini – Lavender syrup makes this tart and tangy tipple a fresh, floral mélange.
- French 75 – Instead of using sugar, try tonight’s recipe in this historic drink instead.
- Gin Fizz – An herbaceous gin beverage like this one is the perfect setting for your lavender syrup.
- Vodka Gimlet – Try some lavender syrup instead of simple syrup in this tart and tangy sipper.
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