If you love a classic lemon drop martini, you are going to absolutely obsess over this lavender lemon drop. It is everything you love about the original: that bright citrusy tartness, the sweetness, the perfectly chilled martini glass moment, but with a gorgeous floral twist that just screams spring.
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You'll love this lavender lemon drop martini
It's easy to make. This lavender lemon drop martini is the perfect spring cocktail. It is sweet, refreshing, and so full of flavor, and the whole thing comes together in about five minutes. The homemade lavender syrup takes a little extra time but is totally worth it and so simple to pull together.
It's delicious. Fresh lemon juice and floral lavender syrup are such a perfect pairing. Every sip is bright, a little sweet, and completely refreshing. It is the kind of cocktail that feels special without being fussy.
It can be made as a batched cocktail. Since there are no carbonated ingredients in this recipe, it is so easy to scale up for a party! The full big batch recipe is included below, and it makes hosting completely stress-free.
Ingredients
Fresh Lemon Juice. Always, always use fresh lemon juice here. I know it is tempting to grab the bottled stuff, but fresh lemon juice makes such a difference in a cocktail like this. Just slice a few lemons and squeeze them! It takes two minutes and the flavor payoff is so worth it.
Lavender Simple Syrup. This is the ingredient that makes this lavender lemon drop so special. I love making my own homemade lavender simple syrup with dried lavender (full recipe below!) because it is really easy and you can control the strength of the lavender flavor. That said, if you want a more vibrant purple color in your cocktail, a store-bought lavender syrup like Monin is a great option and so convenient to keep on hand!
Triple Sec. Triple sec adds that soft, sweet orange flavor that rounds out the lemon and lavender so beautifully. You can use any orange liqueur here. Cointreau is a fantastic upgrade if you want to splurge a little!
Vodka. Plain vodka is the way to go for this lavender lemon drop. A neutral vodka lets all those gorgeous floral and citrus flavors take center stage without competing with anything. Tito's or Smirnoff both work great!
How to make a lavender lemon drop
This lavender lemon drop cocktail is so quick and easy to pull together. Here's how to do it step by step:
- Combine your lavender syrup, fresh lemon juice, triple sec, and vodka in a cocktail shaker. Make sure everything is measured out and ready to go before you add the ice!
- Add ice and shake well. Give it a really good shake for about 15 to 20 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels frosty and cold. This is what gets the cocktail perfectly chilled and gives it that light, slightly frothy quality.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass or coupe glass, garnish, and enjoy! A coupe glass is so pretty for this one and really lets the color of the cocktail shine.
How to make homemade lavender syrup
Making your own lavender simple syrup is so easy and it keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks, which means you will have plenty on hand for multiple rounds of lavender lemon drops all spring long. Here's how to make it:
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons of dried lavender and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the lavender steep for 15 to 20 minutes. The longer it steeps, the stronger the lavender flavor will be, so taste it as you go!
- Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the lavender buds completely.
- Pour into a clean jar or bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
You can find dried lavender at most health food stores, specialty grocery stores, or online. It is such a fun pantry staple to have around for cocktails, lemonades, and baked goods!
Substitutes and variations
Want to put your own spin on this lavender lemon drop recipe? Here are a few fun ways to switch things up:
Turn it into a lavender lemonade cocktail. If you want something a little more casual and easy to sip all afternoon, pour this cocktail over ice in a highball glass instead of straining it into a martini glass. It turns into the most gorgeous lavender lemon drop on the rocks that is perfect for a backyard party or spring brunch!
Swap the vodka for gin or tequila. Gin is an especially beautiful swap for this recipe because the botanical notes in gin pair so naturally with lavender. A lavender gin lemon drop is floral, herby, and absolutely stunning. Tequila also works really well if you want something a little more unexpected and fun!
Batched lavender lemon drops
Since there are no carbonated ingredients in this lavender lemon drop recipe, it is the absolute perfect martini to make as a big batch cocktail for spring parties, bridal showers, Easter brunch, or really any occasion! This recipe makes 10 cocktails.
- In a large pitcher, pour in 20 oz vodka, 5 oz triple sec, 15 oz fresh lemon juice, and 10 oz lavender simple syrup.
- Give everything a good stir to combine, cover, and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
- When it is time to pour, add 4.5 oz of the mixture to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well, strain into a chilled martini glass, garnish, and enjoy!
This is the most perfect way to bring a little bit of spring to all your parties this season. Make the lavender syrup and the pitcher a day ahead, and all you have to do when guests arrive is shake and serve!
Garnish ideas
There are so many different ways you can garnish this lavender martini. Here are a few suggestions.
- Lemon Twist
- Lemon Peel
- Lemon Wheel
- Lavender Sprig
- Sugar Rim
FAQs
What is a lavender lemon drop made of?
A lavender lemon drop is made with vodka, fresh lemon juice, triple sec, and lavender simple syrup. It is a floral twist on the classic lemon drop martini and comes together in just a few minutes in a cocktail shaker. The lavender simple syrup is the key ingredient that gives this cocktail its gorgeous floral flavor and, if using store-bought lavender syrup, that pretty purple color!
What is the difference between a lemon drop and a lemon drop martini?
A lemon drop and a lemon drop martini are actually the same drink, just referred to by two different names! Both are made with vodka, fresh lemon juice, and a sweetener like simple syrup or triple sec, shaken with ice and strained into a chilled martini or coupe glass. This lavender lemon drop martini is a fun and floral variation on the classic that is perfect for spring entertaining.
What to serve with a lavender lemon drop?
Who doesn't love a martini and charcuterie board moment? Try pairing this lavender cocktail with an ALDI charcuterie board or this whipped ricotta dip.
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Lavender Lemon Drop Martini
If you love lemon drop martinis, you have to try this lavender lemon drop. It's the perfect floral twist on a classic cocktail that just screams spring.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka, plain
- ½ oz triple sec
- 1 ½ oz lemon juice
- 1 oz lavender syrup
Instructions
- Combine your lavender syrup, lemon juice, triple sec, and vodka in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and give it a good shake.
- Strain into your martini glass or a coupe glass, garnish with a lemon twist, and enjoy!
Notes
How to make homemade lavender syrup
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons of dried lavender and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the lavender steep for 15–20 minutes (longer for a stronger flavor).
- Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the lavender buds.
- Pour into a clean jar or bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Batched lavender lemon drops
Since there's no carbonated ingredients, this is the perfect martini recipe to make as a batched lemon lavender cocktail for your spring parties! This makes 10 cocktails.
- In a large pitcher, pour in 20 oz of vodka, 5 oz triple sec, 15 oz lemon juice, and 10 oz of lavender simple syrup.
- Give it a stir, and once you're ready to serve, pour 4.5 oz into a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake it, strain into a martini glass, and enjoy!
This is the perfect way to bring a bit of spring into all your parties this season! Garnish ideas
There are so many different ways you can garnish this lavender martini. Here are a few suggestions.
- Lemon Twist
- Lemon Peel
- Lemon Wheel
- Lavender Sprig
- Sugar Rim
Substitutions and variations
Lavender Lemonade. If you want to turn this into an "on the rocks" cocktail, you can pour this drink over ice into a highball glass!
Liquor. You can also try this with gin or tequila!
What to serve with a lavender lemon drop?
Who doesn't love a martini and charcuterie board moment? Try pairing this lavender cocktail with an ALDI charcuterie board or this whipped ricotta dip.
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