This refreshing Lavender Collins is a fresh twist on a Tom Collins cocktail, with homemade lavender syrup, gin, lemon juice and a splash of sparkling water.
Oh hey you guys. It’s Friday, did you know that? I’m guessing you knew that. Since its Friday I decided to whip up this little cocktail that has been a favorite of mine for the last few years. I first had it at a now closed restaurant in Portland called Fratelli. It really is the ideal summer drink. I love gin, especially in the summer time. Paired with lemon juice and sparkling water you have a refreshing Tom Collins. But add some fragrant lavender syrup and you have a drink that will transport you to a lush garden with the sun streaming through the trees…
Alright, I may be getting a little dramatic with my drink descriptions. But you should drink this on a patio, or at least open the window and close your eyes and imagine that you are on a patio. It was a drink made for sunny days, or maybe days that you wish were sunnier.
The lavender syrup is pretty simple to make, although it does have two steps. Don’t be tempted to just throw everything in the pot together like you might normally do with other simple syrups. Following the two steps really gives you a noticeably stronger lavender flavor. The extra step is well worth it. Try to use the best quality lavender you can find – you will get a much better color and flavor that way. Oh and your house is going to smell amazing while making this syrup too.
Other cocktails you may like…
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Lavender Collins
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces gin
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce lavender syrup see below
- sparkling water
For Lavender Syrup
- 1/4 cup dried lavender
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons water
Garnishes (Optional)
- lemon slices
- lavender sprigs make sure they are clean and non-toxic
Instructions
To Make The Lavender Syrup:
- Add 1/2 cup water and 1/4 cup lavender to a sauce pan, bring to a boil. Simmer for 3 minutes, then remove from heat and allow to steep for 20 minutes. Strain out flowers and discard.
- In a clean saucepan, add 1/2 cup of sugar and 3 Tablespoons water. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, then stir in lavender liquid. Whisk until fully combined, remove from heat and transfer to a storage container.
To Make Drink:
- Add gin, lemon juice and lavender syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until cold, then strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with a splash of sparkling water, then gently stir. Garnish with lemon slices and lavender sprigs.
Nutrition
Lavender Syrup from Food and Wine
Now please excuse me, but I’m going to go sip on a few of these, and maybe even make some bacon wrapped dates to serve on the side. Happy Friday!
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Emily Gunn says
Can you save the lavender syrup in the fridge for repeated use?
Meghan says
Hi Emily – yes, it should last 1-2 weeks!
connie says
Thank you for this!
My friend and I had each, separately, developed a liking for this drink at a restaurant, and when it went off the menu, discovered our shared disappointment. I found the recipe here and used it to surprise my friend one warm Friday evening. We were both ecstatic! I did add a teaspoon of creme de violette to each drink, since I found that as an optional ingredient while researching. With or without, it’s amazingly good.
Meghan says
Yay, I’m so happy to hear that Connie! Love the addition of creme de violette.
Lucy says
Hi, any suggestions on making the lavender syrup with fresh lavender instead of dried? Or do you think it would be better the pick it and let it dry out ahead of making the syrup?
Meghan says
Hi Lucy – I’ve never tried it so I can’t be sure! I think it would probably be fine to use fresh in place of dried here.
Bridgette says
Made this tonight. It was so refreshing and lovely. I used lavender syrup that I have on hand that I purchased in the past. So I didn’t make my own. We also used Ginger ale because we were out of carbonated soda. Overall though it was still so refreshing and delicious!
Meghan says
Wonderful, I bet it is great with ginger ale! So glad you loved it.
Heather says
How much lavender syrup does this make?
Meghan says
Hi Heather – it makes about 1 cup.
Lisa says
Hi. I recently made a beautiful violet simple syrup. Would it be an ok substitute for the lavender syrup? Thanks!
Meghan says
Hi Lisa – I bet that would taste great! Let me know how ti turns out!
Andrea says
Do you usually use club soda or normal sparkling water like Perrier or s. Peregrine?
Meghan says
Hi, any kind of sparkling water will do! Club soda has some sodium I think, regular sparkling water would be better.
meg says
Do you think this could be made in a larger quantity to serve a group?? Thanks for the beautiful recipe!!!
Meghan says
Hi Meg – Yes, absolutely! For the lavender syrup, you will be making a larger batch anyway. If you pre-mix a scaled up version, just be sure to shake/stir it well before pouring, as the different densities of liquid will separate if they sit too long.
pam says
Gorgeous! I would love it if you would link it up to Tipsy Tuesday at Grey is the New Black!
Meghan says
Thank you Pam! I will for sure next week!
Vicky & Ruth- May I Have That Recipe says
I’ve never had a cocktail with lavender but i think its a great idea! Looks delicious! I think i might make some for this weekend! 🙂
Meghan says
Yes! You should try it! The flavors are so good. Thanks Vivky and Ruth!
Jennifer A Stewart says
I don’t think you overdid it with the descriptions, I will definitely be transported to that lush garden while drinking it! I love gin and the herby flavor of it. I usually pair mine with cucumber and some St. Germaine. This is on my cocktail playlist for summer for sure! Pinning and sharing to all my gin-loving friends.
Meghan says
Cucumber and St. Germaine sounds amazing with gin! Thanks Jennifer, I hope you love it!
Naina says
This is such a gorgeous drink!! I am making it for sure this summer when my lavender starts blooming 🙂
Meghan says
Thank you Naina! I hope you love it!
Michele says
These will be perfect for a Bridal Shower! They are not only beautiful but something a little different! And The lavender syrup will be a great take home gift! Can you tell Im working on planning one at the moment? LOL
Meghan says
Haha! Yes, these are totally perfect for that! Thanks Michele!
Aena | Scrambled Chefs says
Meghan these pictures are so stunning!! I LOVE the idea of Lavender syrup – I’ve actually become quite the gin person (thanks to my boyfriend!). Definitely trying out this recipe soon!!
Meghan says
Thank you so much Aena! I’m glad you are with me in the gin camp, so good! 🙂
Dulcie says
Beautiful blog! Glad I just found it. This sounds like an excellent summer cocktail.
Meghan says
Thank you so much Dulcie!
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake says
This cocktail looks absolutely perfect Meghan, I love it! It’s grey and rainy here today, so I think I need a couple of these to make me feel sunny inside!
The way you make the lavender syrups looks amazing too, will have to try that – can use it for so many other things too!
Pinning and sharing!
Meghan says
Thank you Michelle! The lavender syrup is sooo good, hope you love it!
My Dish is Bomb says
Love the re-design!! You had me at Friday. And Gin. And lemon. I am so obsessed with gin as of late, I’m waiting till the day I get sick of it which I hope is never. I’d absolutely love to have this on a patio as the temps are getting quite warm here now. Sunny days, sunny ways, and lavender collins cocktails!
Meghan says
Thanks Katy! It has been on my to do list forever, finally just made some time for it! I never get sick of gin either, and sunny weather is the best weather for gin!
Izzy says
These are just gorgeous!! I love the lavender and lemon together! And, man do I really want a drink right now, haha! These looks so delicious and refreshing 🙂
Meghan says
Haha, I bet Izzy! Soon! Thanks sweets!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
I just recently started getting on board with gin and the addition of lavender does sound like a super refreshing cocktail.
Meghan says
It took me awhile to come around on gin too, but now I love it! Thanks Nicole!
Megan @ Meg is Well says
I love lavender and have recently been enjoying it in lattes. But I’d be happy to go ahead and add a happy hour addition to my routine ?
Meghan says
I would love a lavender latte. Might have to do that with my extra syrup! Lavender in the morning, lavender in the evening 🙂
Julie at Hostess At Heart says
What a beautiful drink. I planted some Lavender and I can see these beauties in my future.
Meghan says
This would be amazing with homegrown lavender Julie! Thanks so much!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
Oooh loving the new website Meghan! It really showcases your super pretty pics! Like this one, gorgeous!
Meghan says
Thank you Jess! I have been meaning to do it for awhile and finally bit the bullet!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Well, it’s no longer Friday, but Monday’s absolutely call for a cocktail come 5 o’clock!! 😉 This libation is gorgeous, girlfriend!! Such a fun and pretty spin on the Tom Collins! I am obsessing over that homemade lavender syrup! Can’t wait to slurp on this cocktail outside on the deck and soak in the spring weather! Cheers, friend!
Meghan says
Mondays need cocktails as much as Fridays. Maybe more! Thank you Cheyanne!
Allyson says
I think gin drinks are made for summer, and lavender is a brilliant addition. I’ll have to go find a patio to drink this on.
Meghan says
I totally agree about gin being a great summertime spirit. I hope you find a sunny patio! 🙂
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
Oh, I can just smell this now! I love lavender and this cocktail is just so unique! It’s really almost to pretty to drink, though, with all the purple and yellow… it’s gorgeous! Good description too….I can picture myself sitting back, warm summer breeze and this icy cold refreshment in hand 😉 Pinned! Can’t wait to try!
Meghan says
Thanks so much for pinning! If you love lavender you would love this drink! Thanks Dawn!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I’ll bet that lavender smells heavenly when making the syrup! This drink sounds fun and sophisticated!
Meghan says
It smells amazing! Thank you Kathy!
Liz @ Ready To Yumble says
This is absolutely shouting my name! One of my favorite summer drinks is gin, lemon juice, and basil syrup. But this lavender collins also reminds me of a lavender martini I use to order all the time at a bar in NY. So you’re basically telling me to combine two of my top drinks into one…it’s perfect! I do have a kinda embarrassing question – where do you usually find dried lavender? Never worked with it before!
Meghan says
Oh thanks Liz, I am so glad you are going to try it! So I have found dried lavender at Williams Sonoma (expensive!) and in the bulk section of a natural foods store (much more reasonable). I know some spice companies sell it, such as Simply Organic. I would check a grocery store that has a good bulk section, a spice shop, or of course online. You just want to be sure it is edible quality!