A Lavender Negroni cocktail is a simple twist on the classic drink, using lavender for a floral and refreshing taste. I tried it recently at home—honestly, I was surprised at how easy it is to make and how much the floral notes shift the whole drink.

Adding lavender turns the usual Negroni into something new, but it still keeps that familiar balance. If you’re looking to try a cocktail with unique flavors that doesn’t require hard-to-find ingredients or fancy tools, this one’s a good bet.

Sometimes you just want a drink that feels a bit special without a lot of fuss. That’s where this Lavender Negroni comes in handy.

Lavender Negroni Cocktail Recipe

I like this cocktail because it balances those classic Negroni flavors with a little floral twist from the lavender. For the best results, I try to use good ingredients and actually measure things out—eyeballing it can throw it off.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

Ingredients

1 oz gin I prefer a London Dry gin

1 oz sweet vermouth
1 oz Campari
1/4 oz lavender syrup homemade or store-bought
Ice cubes
Orange peel for garnish
Optional: Fresh lavender sprig for garnish

Instructions

Fill the mixing glass with ice to chill.
Add gin, sweet vermouth, Campari, and lavender syrup into the glass.

Stir with the bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds until well chilled.
Place fresh ice cubes in the glass you’ll use for serving.
Strain the mixed drink into the serving glass over the fresh ice.

Use a peeler to cut a slice of orange peel for garnish. Hold it over the glass and twist to release oils before dropping it in.

Notes

It’s easy to overdo it with the lavender syrup, so I’m careful not to add too much. If I’m feeling ambitious, I’ll make homemade lavender syrup by simmering water, sugar, and dried lavender buds, then straining it out.

Sometimes I’ll add a splash of soda water if I’m in the mood for something lighter. For gin, London Dry gives it that sharp backbone, but floral gins can work too. Fresh orange peel is a must for me—dried just doesn’t cut it.

Serving this cocktail cold is non-negotiable. I always chill the glass and mixing jug. And I drink it pretty quickly after making it, since the aromas can fade if it sits around too long.

Tasting Notes

First thing I notice with a Lavender Negroni is the gentle floral aroma. The lavender scent mingles with the bittersweet gin notes right away.

When I take a sip, there’s that classic bitter Campari and sweet vermouth combo, then the lavender shows up—soft, not overpowering. The floral notes don’t drown out the original Negroni flavors, which I appreciate.

The finish is clean and a bit herbal. The gin and botanicals leave a crisp aftertaste that hangs around just enough.

Texture: The drink feels smooth and even. No harshness, and the floral syrup actually gives it a silkier mouthfeel.

Key Points I Notice:

Balanced floral and classic Negroni flavors
Pronounced bittersweet finish
Gentle, lingering aroma

I find the Lavender Negroni easy to enjoy and honestly pretty refreshing. Every sip gives you a nice blend of floral and those classic cocktail notes.

Substitute

Sometimes I don’t have all the ingredients for a Lavender Negroni. When that happens, I just improvise with whatever’s around and hope for the best.

Equipment

Ingredients

Gin: If I’m out, vodka or even white rum steps in—maybe not perfect, but it works.
Lavender syrup: Missing this? I’ll mix honey or simple syrup with a few dashes of lavender bitters, or just toss in some dried lavender if I’ve got it.
Campari: I’ll grab Aperol for a sweeter twist, or honestly, any bitter liqueur hanging around.

Sweet vermouth: Sometimes I just use red wine with a bit of simple syrup. Not traditional, but hey, it does the trick.

Instructions

I measure out the spirits with my jigger.
All the chosen substitutes go into the mixing glass.

Stir it up well with the bar spoon.
Strain over ice, toss on a garnish, and cross my fingers.

Lavender Negroni Cocktail Recipe