Lavender Elderflower Collins Cocktail Recipe

ByJohn

If you’re after something fresh and a little unexpected, the Lavender Elderflower Collins is a fun twist on a classic. This recipe brings together floral lavender and sweet elderflower liqueur for a simple, aromatic cocktail you can whip up at home.

I love this blend because it’s not just refreshing; it’s a bit of a departure from the usual summer drinks. The flavors seem to balance nicely, and honestly, there’s no need for fancy bartending skills or weird equipment.

If you’re into light, floral cocktails, you’ll probably appreciate how this one comes together in just a few steps. Curious? Here’s what you’ll need and how to make it.

Lavender Elderflower Collins Cocktail Recipe

Lavender Elderflower Collins Cocktail Recipe

Lavender Elderflower Collins Cocktail Recipe
I like to mix floral and citrus flavors here—it keeps the cocktail feeling both fresh and unique. The prep is straightforward, and you don’t need a ton of tools or ingredients.
John
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Serving Size 1

Equipment

  • Shaker: I use this to really mix things up.
  • Measuring jigger: Makes pouring the right amounts easier.
  • Fine strainer: Helps catch ice chips and stray lavender bits.
  • Tall glass (Collins glass): Honestly, it just looks best in this.
  • Bar spoon: Handy for a gentle stir.
  • Citrus juicer (optional): Squeezing lemons by hand is fine, but this helps.
  • Ice: Gotta have plenty to keep things cold.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz gin: I usually go with a classic dry gin—keeps things balanced.
  • 1 oz elderflower liqueur: St-Germain is my pick for that sweet floral touch.
  • 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice: I always squeeze it myself for that bright tart flavor.
  • 1/2 oz lavender simple syrup: Homemade or store-bought both work—just depends on my mood.
  • Club soda: Enough to top off the drink usually 2–3 oz, but I don’t measure too strictly.
  • Garnishes optional: Lemon wheel and a few sprigs of fresh lavender if I have them.

Instructions

  • I fill my shaker with ice.
  • Then I add the gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and lavender simple syrup.
  • I shake it up for about 10–15 seconds—nothing fancy, just enough to chill.
  • Strain that into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
  • Top with club soda, then give it a gentle stir with a bar spoon.
  • For a nice finish, I’ll add a lemon wheel and a sprig of lavender.

Notes

Fresh lemon juice makes all the difference, so I never skip that part. Lavender syrup? I usually make it by simmering water, sugar, and dried lavender, then straining it—easy enough, but store-bought works too. If I’m in the mood for something lighter, I’ll just add more club soda. Want it sweeter? A touch more lavender syrup does the trick. I always taste and tweak as I go—no shame in that.
It’s easy to go overboard with lavender, so I keep it subtle. If I don’t have fresh lavender for garnish, dried lavender or even a twist of lemon peel does the job. For a non-alcoholic version, I swap the gin for more club soda and use elderflower syrup instead of liqueur. Not quite the same, but still tasty.

Tasting Notes

First sip? The floral aroma hits right away—lavender’s there, soft and herbal, mingling with the gentle sweetness of elderflower.

There’s a nice citrus kick too. The lemon juice really keeps the sweet and floral flavors from getting heavy, so it all feels light and crisp.

I can taste a bit of the gin’s botanicals in the background. They add a little depth, but don’t drown out the gentle floral notes.

The club soda gives it a nice fizz—makes it feel extra lively. As I finish, those floral flavors linger, but never get too strong or cloying.

Key Flavor Highlights:

  • Floral lavender and elderflower
  • Bright, fresh lemon
  • Subtle gin botanicals
  • Light carbonation

Honestly, it’s just a really balanced, easygoing drink. Perfect for a warm day—or whenever you need a little floral pick-me-up.

Must Have Ingredients

Substitute

Sometimes I run out of certain ingredients, or I just want to play around with a new flavor. Substitutes let me whip up a Lavender Elderflower Collins cocktail with whatever’s kicking around at home.

Here are some equipment, ingredients, and quick instructions for a few easy swaps.

Equipment:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  • I grab vodka instead of gin if I’m feeling like a lighter taste.
  • Sometimes I swap elderflower liqueur for a splash of elderflower syrup. If I’m after a different floral note, violet syrup isn’t a bad call.
  • When there’s no fresh lemon juice, I just use lime or even bottled lemon juice. It works in a pinch.
  • Sparkling water stands in for club soda if that’s all I’ve got.

I usually tweak the sweetness a bit when using syrups or cordials. Stirring well after any swap helps the flavors come together.

Hey there, I’m John Watson—a guy who’s spent over 20 years proving that a good drink can fix just about anything (well, almost anything). Whether it’s cocktails that wow or mocktails that mock boredom, I’m all about crafting sips with stories. Founder of ThirstyTales and full-time drink nerd, I’m here to help you shake things up, one glass at a time. Let’s mix, laugh, and maybe spill a little—cheers to the adventure!

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