When I’m craving something refreshing and a bit different, I lean toward simple cocktails with bold flavors. The Lavender Grapefruit Fizz Cocktail is right up there for me—it’s got that gentle lavender thing going on, mixed with the tang of grapefruit.
This recipe gives you a crisp, floral cocktail that’s easy to make and great for relaxing or sharing with friends. If you like experimenting with new flavors and want to add a little flair to your drink lineup, this one’s worth a try.
I’ll walk you through each step so you can mix this cocktail at home. Tools, ingredients, instructions—it’s all straightforward, promise.
Lavender Grapefruit Fizz Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Measuring jigger or shot glass
- Highball or collins glass
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz gin or vodka, if I want a lighter flavor
- 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice about half a medium grapefruit
- 0.5 oz lavender simple syrup see notes for recipe
- 0.25 oz lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 2-3 oz sparkling water or club soda
- Ice cubes
- Grapefruit wedge or lavender sprig for garnish optional
Instructions
- Shake for about 10 seconds until well mixed and chilled.
- Strain into a highball or Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with sparkling water or club soda.
- Gently stir with a bar spoon to combine.
Notes
I use culinary lavender, as other types may taste bitter.
Fresh grapefruit juice works best, but bottled can be used if needed.
Gin brings out the herbal notes, while vodka makes the drink softer.
For less sweetness, use less syrup. Adjust to your taste.
Always strain the lavender syrup well to prevent bits in the cocktail.
Tasting Notes
First sip? The grapefruit immediately pops—tangy, a touch sweet, and super fresh. The citrus is bold but not overwhelming, especially with those light, fizzy bubbles running through.
Before I even taste it, I catch a hint of floral aroma from the lavender syrup. It’s gentle, not overpowering, and just smooths out the sharpness of the grapefruit.
If I let the ice melt a bit, the whole thing mellows out and gets even more refreshing. The bubbles seem to lift the floral notes, so every sip feels crisp and cool.
Flavor Highlights:
- Citrus:Â Bright and fresh from the grapefruit.
- Floral:Â Subtle and calming from the lavender.
- Sweetness:Â Balanced, never overpowering.
- Fizziness:Â Lively, but not too intense.
After each sip, I’m left with a clean, slightly sweet finish that reminds me of spring or early summer.
Substitute
Sometimes I just don’t have lavender syrup or fresh grapefruit juice on hand. When that happens, I scramble for simple swaps to keep my Lavender Grapefruit Fizz tasting good—well, at least close enough.
Here are some substitutes I use:
- Lavender Syrup: I might grab honey syrup, simple syrup, or even elderflower syrup if I’m feeling fancy or just out of options. Each brings its own twist—elderflower is especially floral, but honestly, honey works in a pinch.
- Grapefruit Juice: Sometimes I pour in orange juice, lemon juice, or just mix both. They keep things bright and citrusy, though the flavor shifts a bit.
- Gin: If I’m out, vodka or white rum steps in. Not quite the same, but they do the trick.
- Sparkling Water: Club soda or lemon-lime soda works fine, and the latter adds a bit more sweetness. Sometimes I even prefer it that way.
Instructions for making substitutions:
- I usually stick to the same amount of the substitute as the original recipe calls for. It makes things easier.
- After mixing, I always taste and tweak. If the swap is sweeter, I cut back a little—no one wants a sugar bomb.
- Sometimes, if I’m not sure, I add a bit at a time, especially with those bold floral flavors. Better safe than sorry, right?
