A Lavender Collins adds a floral twist to the classic Tom Collins cocktail. This drink combines fresh lemon juice, gin, lavender syrup, and club soda for a refreshing spring and summer sipper.
The mix of botanical gin and sweet lavender creates a balanced cocktail. It’s perfect for garden parties and warm weather entertaining.
You can prepare this aromatic drink in just 5 minutes with basic bar tools. Make the lavender syrup ahead in larger batches and store it in the fridge for future cocktails.
The pale purple hue and garnish of fresh lavender sprigs make this drink visually appealing. Serve it at casual happy hours or formal celebrations like bridal showers and Mother’s Day brunches.
Lavender Collins Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 oz London dry gin
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz lavender simple syrup
- Club soda to top
- Ice cubes
- Lemon wheel for garnish
- Fresh lavender sprig for garnish
For lavender simple syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender buds
Instructions
- Make the lavender syrup: Heat water and sugar in a pot until the sugar dissolves. Add lavender buds and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Strain and let cool.
- Shake hard for 10-12 seconds until the mixture is well-chilled.
- Strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and lavender sprig.
Notes
Tasting Notes
The Lavender Collins offers a bright, fresh taste with gentle floral sweetness. Its aroma brings notes of lavender and citrus.
The gin’s juniper creates a clean, crisp base that blends with the lavender syrup. Fresh lemon juice adds tart brightness to balance the sweetness.
Club soda adds light carbonation for a refreshing mouthfeel. The bubbles carry the lavender and citrus flavors across your palate.
The cocktail starts with lavender, shifts to citrus, and finishes with gentle botanical notes from the gin. Its light purple color adds visual appeal.
Flavor Profile:
- Front: Sweet lavender, floral
- Middle: Tart lemon, bright
- Finish: Botanical gin, clean
The moderate sweetness makes it great for sipping or pairing with light appetizers and brunch dishes.
Club soda keeps the alcohol subtle and the drink refreshing without tasting watered down.
Substitute
No lavender syrup at home? Use regular simple syrup as a quick replacement.
Add 2-3 drops of food-grade lavender extract or essential oil to mimic the flavor.
Other floral syrups also work well in this drink. Try these options:
- Violet syrup
- Rose syrup
- Elderflower syrup
- Hibiscus syrup
Want to skip the gin? Replace it with vodka for a lighter taste.
The cocktail will remain refreshing.
No fresh lemon juice? Use bottled lemon juice instead.
Measure the same amount as you would for fresh juice.
For a non-alcoholic version, use extra club soda instead of gin.
Add a splash of lavender tea to keep the floral notes.
Need a soda water substitute? Try one of these:
- Tonic water (adds sweetness)
- Sparkling mineral water
- Flavored sparkling water
- Ginger ale (creates a sweeter drink)
