Aviation, but make it lavender! Here’s a brand new lavender cocktail recipe to take you into the weekend!
What’s an Aviation Cocktail?
Anyone who knows me well knows that my favourite cocktail is an Aviation. It’s the original purple drink, and a Prohibition Era cocktail that’s typically made with gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur and crème de violette. But sadly, due to shortages in Ontario, finding any brand of crème de violette has proven difficult over the last couple of years. Cue the tiny violin.
Whenever I’d go out to a restaurant or bar, I’d always ask the bartender to make me one (secretly judging his or her bartending chops based on ability to prepare a good one). Those that could oblige and make this cocktail with the proper ingredients and obtaining the proper colour won in my books! Unfortunately, my request was most times denied due to the same crème de violette shortage.
Using Culinary Lavender
I’ve been wanting to make this for myself at home for a looooonnng time but couldn’t for the aforesaid reason. Recently, I picked up some culinary lavender, which I’ve been using to make all sorts of lavender goodies, including this lavender no-churn ice cream. I knew some sort of lavender-infused cocktail would be next. So I thought, why not do a take on an Aviation, but using lavender instead of crème de violette?!
I made a homemade lavender syrup with the culinary lavender. I used the lavender simple syrup to replace both the crème de violette and the maraschino liqueur, which truthfully, I didn’t miss! Lavender is actually the perfect replacement for crème de violette (typically, a brandy or neutral spirit base that is naturally or artificially flavoured with violets) because you still get the beautiful purplish colour and floral notes coming through in the cocktail. And I mean, who doesn’t want a cocktail made with lavender? The lavender is quite potent, so you need only use a bit.
The hue that’s achieved in my version is somewhere between a pink and a purple. Although, you could get more of a purple colour from adding some more lavender-infused syrup.
Personally, I think this is a showstopping, summer-inspired lavender cocktail that’s easy to achieve at home. I also thought these tumbler glasses were the perfect vessel in terms of size and detailing. Here is the recipe.
How to Make a Lavender Aviation Cocktail
Lavender Aviation Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 oz lavender-infused simple syrup
- 1/4 cup plus 1 pinch culinary lavender buds
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- tonic water for topping
- lemon slices for garnish
- dried lavender sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- To make the lavender syrup: add water and 1/4 cup culinary lavender buds to a sauce pan on medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and then reduce to let simmer for 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and steep for 20 minutes. Strain and discard lavender buds. In a sauce pan on medium-high heat, add sugar and lavender liquid. Bring to a boil, whisking to dissolve all the sugar and to combine well. Remove from heat, let cool, transfer to a mason jar, and store in the fridge until ready to use. Yields enough for about 8 Lavender Aviation drinks.
- To make the Lavender Aviation: Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Add gin, lemon juice, and 1/2 oz. lavender syrup. Cover and shake well. Double strain into a tumbler glass. Top up with tonic water. Garnish with lemon wheel, a few lavender sprigs, and a pinch of lavender buds, if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Does this look like something you’d like to try? Let me know in the comments!
Cheers to summer and patio season!
