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A lavender martini is an herbal delight that makes a great drink for a spring or summer afternoon in the garden. You'll also find it to be a very pretty drink for your next dinner party.
Lavender is a lovely, versatile herb and it is amazing when paired with a balanced, fully aromatic gin. In this recipe, a homemade lavender syrup brings in the sweet floral flavor. When you add dry vermouth and an accent of orange bitters, you get a simple, flowery variation on the gin martini.
As with many martinis, if you prefer vodka, simply pour your favorite brand instead of the gin. It's a great cocktail with either spirit.
Ingredients
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2 ounces gin
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1/2 ounce dry vermouth
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1/2 ounce lavender simple syrup
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2 dashes orange bitters
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Lavender sprig, for garnish
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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In a cocktail shaker, pour the gin, dry vermouth, lavender syrup, and orange bitters. Fill with ice.
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Strain into a well-chilled cocktail glass.
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Garnish with a sprig of lavender. Serve and enjoy.
Lavender Simple Syrup
The lavender simple syrup is very easy to make at home. All you need is sugar, water, and lavender flowers. It will take just about 10 minutes of your time and is best when the herb is left to steep in the syrup for at least 1 hour.
Once you try it, this flavored syrup may become a staple in your bar. It can be used to give a variety of cocktails and mocktails an herbal twist. Try it in recipes like the lavender collins, lavender lemon drop, and trophy margarita. You can even use it to create a homemade lavender soda; simply top 2 ounces of the syrup with club soda or seltzer.
Choose Your Spirits
No matter the flavor, any martini deserves the best liquor in your bar. For the best cocktail, pour your favorite premium gin. There are many great brands available and, since each gin uses a different botanical recipe, each will play off the lavender in different ways. It's a fantastic recipe to explore herbal flavor pairings.
If you go with vodka, choose a top-shelf brand as well. The vodka version is even more transparent, and a clean-tasting, smooth vodka will make a big difference. Try it with a potato vodka rather than one with a grain base. These tend to be smoother and slightly oily, ideal for accenting the lavender.
How Strong Is the Lavender Martini?
Despite their elegant appearance, martinis are typically not weak drinks. The lavender martini is no exception. When made with an 80-proof gin, the alcohol content will be around 25 percent ABV (50 proof). It may taste great, but one too many may get you drunk faster than expected.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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184 | Calories |
0g | Fat |
9g | Carbs |
0g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 1 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 184 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 0g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
Sodium 5mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 9g | 3% |
Dietary Fiber 0g | 1% |
Total Sugars 7g | |
Protein 0g | |
Vitamin C 2mg | 10% |
Calcium 23mg | 2% |
Iron 1mg | 5% |
Potassium 54mg | 1% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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