Sparkling Lavender Lemonade - Cocktail of the Week

Spring means pastel EVERYTHING, and this week's cocktail is going pastel too, just in time for Easter!

The recipe calls for an ingredient that can seem a little intimidating to use with food (or drinks) -- lavender!

Flickr user Didriks

Lavender can be very overpowering, and a little bit can go a long way. We're not trying to drink soap!

Now, if you're all kinds of fancy, you can buy fresh (culinary) lavender, and make your own lavender simple syrup by boiling a few sprigs of it with equal parts sugar and water...or you can save yourself the time and buy a bottle of lavender syrup like THIS or THIS. Up to you - the biggest difference will be the color!

Also, keep in mind that you can absolutely use pre-bottled lemonade, but if you do that, this drink will wind up INSANELY sweet when you add in the lavender syrup.

Now, let's get to it!

Ingredients:

1.5 oz gin (Try a citrusy brand like Brooklyn Gin or a more mild Bulldog Gin)
2 oz. water
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbls. lavender syrup
Prosecco or sparkling wine
lemon wheel, to garnish
fresh lavender sprig, to garnish (optional)

Combine first four ingredients with ice (you can shake or stir, whatever's easiest for you.) Pour into a tall glass and top with prosecco. Garnish with a lemon wheel and fresh lavender sprig. Yum!

Switch it up:

Use vodka instead of gin.
Use a sparkling rosé to add some more color!
Add some fresh blueberries for another layer of flavor.