lavender lemon drop martini
Got a frills-free sip for you this week in this Lavender Lemon Drop Martini. Light, crisp, and floral, this cocktail is easy to whip up and easier to drink. Save this for your next afternoon lounge session. Which might be right now. So go make it right now, damn it.
Keeping it quick today because I’m a giant grog slog after bike + work + swim. I would’ve found a touch more time today had I not napped (kind of becoming a requirement in my routine nowadays) or been cornered before my swim by a chatty lifeguard at the pool with whom I actually had a good conversation about life. Can’t complain about either occurrence, but now I’m caught in a cycle of rubbing my eyes every few seconds before yawning and wishing I hadn’t woken up when I did because the couch was just so cozy.
Life interrupts cozy sometimes, though, so why not fight back by taking a few moments to yourself this weekend and mixing up a Lavender Lemon Drop Martini?
The only real “process” in this cocktail is heating a simple lavender syrup, which involves sugar, water, and lavender flowers. Warm the trio on the stove for about five minutes, then strain, squishing the lavender flowers well to release as much of the saccharine goodness as possible, and let cool for a bit.
Then, in a shaker with ice, combine some syrup, fresh lemon juice – I’d really vouch for fresh juice here and not bottled, the taste is worlds better – vodka, and St. Germain. The latter provides a boost to the floral backdrop of the cocktail and lends some juicy, fruity notes. Give a few strong shakes and strain into a martini glass. That’s all!
I actually enjoyed this with the Marinated Portobello and Brie Veggie Sandwich last weekend after my long run, and both were a good pregame for a short splash in the pool thereafter. Much as Floridian summer makes me want to hurl, I do enjoy some of the season’s pasttimes: light bites and cooling drinks, hiding from midday horror in the water. I’d trade all that for some cooler temps, though, at this point.
Tried this recipe out? Leave a comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
On a lavender kick? Here’s a few more ideas:
Honey Glaze Earl Grey Lavender Lemon Cake
Earl Grey Lavender Vodka Palmer
Ingredients
- 1 oz lavender syrup (recipe below)
- 1 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 1/2 oz St. Germain (elderflower liqueur)
lavender syrup
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp dried lavender flowers
Instructions
- Gently heat sugar, water, and lavender flowers for 5 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a jar or bowl. Let cool.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine lavender syrup, lemon juice, vodka, and St. Germain. Add ice and shake until cold, then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lavender branch.
