This fruity blackberry gin cocktail with lavender syrup makes the perfect spring or summer cocktail. It's an elegant cocktail with a delicate lavender flavor and sweet, slightly tart blackberry notes. You can easily make it for two or for a crowd. No cocktail shaker needed!
In Provence, lavender blooms from mid-June to late August, which makes it the perfect time to enjoy this cocktail. Summer is also the right time to enjoy this lemony cocktail with ginger syrup, and this champagne cocktail with elderflower syrup.
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Key ingredients and substitutions
- Gin is our alcohol of choice for this cocktail but you could also use vodka. I like to use premium gin, such as Hendrick's, which works really well with lavender syrup. London dry gins or floral gins would work great too.
- Blackberries add freshness and tartness. They also give the cocktail a beautiful purple hue.
- Lavender syrup is the star of the show. You can use store-bought syrup or make your own using culinary-grade lavender. Read our tips on choosing your lavender syrup below.
- Lemon juice provides a citrus aroma that balances out the floral notes of the lavender. Use freshly squeezed for best flavor.
- Tonic water adds a fizzy touch. I recommend a classic Indian tonic water or a floral one. You can replace it with sparkling water if you'd like.
Which lavender syrup is best?
High-quality lavender syrup is key to making this gin cocktail. You don't want it to be overly powerful or worse, provide a soapy flavor. There are three types of lavender syrup, with two being superior to the other.
- Store-bought lavender syrup made from real dried lavender is a great choice. The taste and sweetness and perfectly balanced by the manufacturer, which guarantees the best cocktail flavor. However, they can be difficult to find in stores, and even online.
- Homemade lavender syrup made with real dried lavender is another amazing choice as the ingredients couldn't be cleaner. However, it can sometimes be difficult to nail the taste. Finding the perfect brewing time that provides a syrup that's flavorful but not soapy is a challenge. It really depends on the type of lavender you're using, how fresh it is and how it has been stored. You can buy culinary lavender online or in health food shops like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.
- Store-bought lavender syrup flavored with natural aromas, such as Monin's, Torani's or Amoretti's tastes rather artificial and can't be compared to real lavender syrup.
This Agroposta lavender syrup is my absolute favorite and the one I used for this recipe. They ship to several countries in the EU.
How to make lavender syrup
For half a cup of lavender syrup, you need ½ cup water + ½ cup sugar + 2 tablespoons lavender buds.
STEP 1: Heat the water, sugar and lavender in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove it from the heat and let it sit for 10 minutes before straining.
STEP 2: Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve. Transfer it to a clean glass bottle. Let it cool off completely before refrigerating.
Elo's tips
- If you're making homemade lavender syrup, think about making it 30 minutes to 2 hours ahead of time and allow it to cool.
- A little lavender syrup goes a long way. If in doubt, rather add less than more.
- Chill your glasses for an ice-cold cocktail. Place them in the freezer for 30 minutes prior to serving.
- To make this cocktail for a crowd, add the blackberries, lemon juice, lavender syrup and gin to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and strain out the blackberry seeds if desired. Transfer the mixture to a cocktail pitcher and set it in the refrigerator to cool. Top it with tonic water right before serving.
Step-by-step instructions
STEP 1: Muddle the blackberries with lavender syrup and lemon juice. You can use a wooden muddler or a stainless steel cocktail muddler. Alternatively, use a fork or a small wooden spoon.
STEP 2: Pour in the gin. Use a cocktail spoon or a long teaspoon to give it a good stir.
STEP 3: Fill the glass with crushed ice and top with tonic water. Give it another stir.
STEP 4: Garnish with a sprig of dried lavender and some fresh blackberries.
Variations
- Swap the gin for St. Germain, an elderflower liqueur that pairs incredibly well with lavender.
- Replace the blackberries with blueberries or blueberry juice.
- Replace the tonic water with rosé wine. I've tried it and highly recommend it. In summer, you can even freeze the rosé into ice cubes and blend it with the rest of the ingredients to make a cocktail slush.
Other ways to use lavender syrup
- Lavender latte – Lavender syrup tastes surprisingly good in coffee! Add a tiny bit to your morning latte or to cold brew with ice for some sweet floral notes.
- Lavender lemonade, ice tea and sparkling water – pimp your lemonade, ice teas and even club soda with a splash of lavender syrup.
- Lavender cocktails – the syrup tastes great in gins, mimosas and lemon drops.
- Lavender pancake topping – a drizzle of lavender syrup is such a delicate substitute for maple syrup or honey.
Frequently asked questions
An open bottle of lavender syrup can usually be stored in the refrigerator for about 1-2 weeks. If using store-bought syrup, always follow the instructions on the label. If making homemade syrup, make sure to check the recipe for storage tips.
Technically, all lavender is edible. However, make sure you're using culinary-grade lavender for cooking. Culinary lavender (mostly Lavandula angustifolia), known as English or “true” lavender has fewer essential oils than aromatic lavender used in perfumes or soaps. It's sweeter and won't give you that soapy taste.
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The recipe
Blackberry Gin Cocktail With Lavender Syrup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3-4 blackberries
- ½ oz (15 ml) lavender simple syrup
- ½ oz (15 ml) lemon juice
- 1 ½ oz (45 ml) gin
- Crushed ice
- 3 oz (90 ml) Indian tonic water
Instructions
- Add the blackberries, lavender syrup and lemon juice to a cocktail glass. Muddle until the blackberries release their juices.
- Pour in the gin and give it a good stir with a spoon.
- Fill the glass with crushed ice and top it off with tonic water.
- Garnish with a sprig of lavender for a floral touch.
Notes
- You can also make your own lavender syrup using culinary-grade lavender and following this simple recipe.
- This Agroposta lavender syrup is my absolute favorite and the one I used for this recipe. They ship to several countries in the EU.
- A little lavender syrup goes a long way. If in doubt, rather add less than more.
- I use Hendrick's gin for this recipe.
- To make this cocktail for a crowd, add the blackberries, lemon juice, lavender syrup and gin to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and strain out the blackberry seeds if desired. Transfer the mixture into a cocktail pitcher and set it in the refrigerator to cool. Top it with sparkling water right before serving.
Nutrition
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