Floral Lavender-Infused Gin

Ingredients

• 4-5 fresh lavender sprigs or 2 tablespoons dried lavender buds
• 750mL gin
• Two large clean bottles or jars
• Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
• Funnel

Instructions

1. If using fresh lavender sprigs, gently rinse and allow to air dry.
2. In a large clean bottle or jar, add the preferred lavender and gin.
3. Tightly seal the bottles or jars, then give the containers a firm swirl.
4. Store the infusion in a cool, dark place for approximately 3 to 4 days, being sure to repeat the swirling each day.
5. After several days, sample the infusing by pouring a small amount into a glass. If you want more flavor, continue to steep the infusion.
6. If the flavor meets your standards, carefully lavender sprigs if used, and discard them.
7. Funnel the infused gin into the second clean bottle, filtering with the cheesecloth to remove any loose lavender buds.
8. Carefully seal. You can enjoy the lavender gin right away.

You can store unused infused gin in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark place for approximately one to two years before the quality will curtail. Do take care to get rid of the infusion when the flavor starts to fade or tastes "off."

Variations of Lavender-Infused Gin

Gin already has an exquisite botanical taste, and when paired with lavender, the two flavors shine even brighter. Don't quit just yet, though. Play around with a few of these flavor pairings.

• Explore floral fruit infusions by adding one or two unpeeled whole, sliced apples or pears. If you're looking for citrus notes, add two to three whole, sliced lemons or limes, or a whole sliced orange. You can also use a full cup of pitted and sliced plums or peaches.
• Berries also add juicy complexity to the infusion. Add in a cup of halved berries such as blackberries, blueberries, pitted cherries, raspberries, or hulled and sliced strawberries.
• Herbs and spices add an earthy touch and create balance. Consider three to four sprigs of thyme, rosemary, or mint. A whole vanilla bean adds a subtle softness, too, as does a tablespoon of dried elderflower.
• Opt for nuts if you want an earthier, umami flavor, do this by adding half to a full cup of coarsely chopped almonds or shelled and chopped pistachios.
• Adding a half cup of honey creates a sweet lavender infusion.

Lavender-Infused Gin Cocktails

A lavender-infused gin is a gin lover's absolute dream. These cocktails are equivalent to bonus time spent sleeping to live those dreams.

Lavender Gin and Tonic

A gin and tonic is a thing of beauty--full stop. A lavender gin and tonic will ruin ordinary gin and tonics, making it a true masterpiece.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces lavender-infused gin
• ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Ice
• Tonic water to top off
• Dried lavender buds for garnish

Instructions

1. In a highball glass, add ice, lavender gin, and lemon juice.
2. Top off with tonic water.
3. Garnish with dried lavender buds.

Lavender French 75

The French 75 already packs a lot of booze, but the lavender adds a whole new layer of deception to this delicious bubbly cocktail.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce lavender-infused gin
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ ounce simple syrup
• Ice
• Prosecco to top off
• Lavender sprig and lemon slice for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a champagne flute or coupe glass.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, lavender gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Top off with prosecco.
6. Garnish with lavender sprig and lemon slice.

Lemon Lavender Martini

There's no place for flavors to hide in a martini, making it the perfect place for your lavender infusion to shine.

Ingredients

• 2½ ounces lavender-infused gin
• ¾ ounce dry vermouth
• ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Ice
• Lavender sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a mixing glass, add ice, lavender gin, dry vermouth, and lemon juice.
3. Stir rapidly to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with lavender sprig.

Lavender Bee's Knees

You may think it corny, but making this cocktail at a party will absolutely have everyone thinking you're the bee's knees with this floral riff on the classic bee's knees cocktail.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces lavender-infused gin
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ ounce honey liqueur
• Ice
• Lavender sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, lavender gin, lemon juice, and honey liqueur.
2. Shake to chill.
3. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with lavender sprig.

Mixers for Lavender Gin Drinks

Keep the floral botanical train going by stirring your lavender gin in with a mixer or two.

• Coconut water
• Lemonade
• Limeade
• Lemon juice
• Tonic water
• Plain club soda
• Flavored club soda, such as vanilla, orange, lemon, berry, or coconut
• Apple cider
• Honey
• Peach nectar
• Simple syrup
• Almond liqueur
• Orange liqueur
• Blueberry liqueur
• Blackberry liqueur

Botanical Lavender-Infused Gin for Instant Sunshine

Just when you thought gin's botanical and juniper flavors couldn't get any better, lavender-infused gin steals the show. Steal the affection of everyone you know by sharing your new sunshine in a bottle.