Lavender Blueberry Gin Sparkler
Bubbly, sweet, and a little bit floral, this Lavender Blueberry Gin Sparkler is a refreshing drink that is as delicious as it is eye-pleasing! This Lavender Blueberry Gin cocktail features a homemade lavender simple syrup that is easy to make, store-bought blueberry juice, flavorful botanical gin, and of course a topping of super bubbly soda water! This Lavender Blueberry Gin cocktail brings together the lovely flavors of berries and flowers to create a gin cocktail that just screams ‘summer-time sippin’ with it’s gorgeous gradient look.
Culinary Lavender vs Regular Lavender
It is important in making this Lavender Blueberry Gin cocktail, or any other recipe that involves lavender, that you use Culinary Grade Lavender. Firstly, culinary grade lavender is the only safe lavender to consume, because it has been prepared and processed in a food-grade environment, and has only had good-grade chemicals used on it during the growing process. Secondly, culinary lavenders are more flavorful and aromatic than their non-culinary counterparts. There are many varieties of lavender out there, but culinary lavender uses a varieties that are more sweet and have a sweet fragrance as well – making them perfect for edible usage.
How to Make Lavender Simple Syrup
To make the lavender simple syrup start by steeping the lavender in hot water – similar to steeping loose-leaf tea. Allow the lavender to steep for 5-10 minutes, then remove the lavender and place the steeped water into a small sauce pan with the sugar. Bring this mixture to a boil and allow it to boil for about 3 minutes. Now simply remove it from the heat and allow it to cool completely before using! This simple syrup can be store in the fridge for up to a week, or you can freeze it in an airtight container for 6 months.
What is Gin?
For those who don’t know, gin is a distilled alcohol that receives its flavor by distilling botanicals – most prominently Juniper Berries. What are juniper berries? A juniper berry is actually a seed that comes from juniper trees – a type of pine tree! This obviously explains why gin tastes so piney! The distillers then add other botanicals to the gin to further flavor it, these could be citrus (my personal favorite), cucumber, coriander, cinnamon, etc. Essentially gin is a naturally flavored vodka. Gin, however, is one of those spirits that you either love or hate, I find. I have loved it from the first moment I tried it – I loved it’s fresh, herbal, almost spicy flavor profile. Others, I know, fall strongly on the other side – absolutely despising it. As with many things, it’s all personal preference! That being said, if you do not like gin, you can substitute it out with vodka.
Get the Recipe: Lavender Blueberry Gin Sparkler
Ingredients
Lavender Simple Syrup
- 1 tbsp Dried Lavender
- 1 cup Boiling Water
- 1 cup Sugar
Lavender Blueberry Gin Sparkler
- 1 ½ oz Gin
- 1 ½ oz Lavender Simple Syrup
- 2 oz Blueberry Juice
- Squeeze of Lemon Juice
- Soda Water,, for topping
Instructions
Lavender Simple Syrup
- Steep the dried lavender in the 1 cup of boiling water for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, strain the dried lavender out and place the steeped water into a small sauce pan. Add in sugar, then bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Allow to boil for 3 minutes. Then remove from heat and allow to cool completely before using.
Lavender Blueberry Gin Sparkler
- In a 16oz highball glass filled with ice, add gin, lavender simple syrup, blueberry juice, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Stir to combine, then top with soda water. Mix thoroughly before enjoying.
Related Recipes
Looking for other Gin Cocktails? Check out these below:
PASSION FRUIT AND GIN FIZZ COCKTAIL. Tropical, fizzy, and delicious, this cocktail is sure to please anyone!
GIN, ELDERFLOWER, AND ALOE SPRITZER. This cocktail combines the flavors of grapefruit, gin, aloe juice, and elder flower to create a cocktail that is sweet, sour, and slightly floral.
