Lavender Maple Bourbon Cocktail Recipe
I mix this up with sweet maple syrup, a hint of lavender, and good bourbon. Nothing fancy required—just a few tools and a little measuring to get it right.
Equipment
- Jigger or shot glass for measuring
- Cocktail shaker with strainer
- Fine mesh strainer (to remove lavender bits)
- Muddler or spoon (if infusing lavender)
- Small saucepan (for making lavender syrup)
- Bar spoon: For mixing.
- Rocks glass or lowball glass
- Ice cubes
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 0.5 oz pure maple syrup
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz lavender syrup homemade or store-bought
- Ice cubes
- Dried lavender buds for syrup or garnish
- Lemon twist or wheel optional garnish
Lavender syrup:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tsp dried culinary lavender
Instructions
- Make the lavender syrup: Toss water, sugar, and lavender in a saucepan. Bring it to a simmer, stir until the sugar’s gone, then cool and strain out the lavender.
- Fill your shaker with ice.
- Add bourbon, maple syrup, lemon juice, and lavender syrup to the shaker.
- Shake hard for about 15 seconds, until the shaker feels chilly.
- Strain everything through a fine mesh strainer into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lavender buds and a lemon twist if you’re feeling fancy.
Notes
I always stick with culinary lavender for the syrup—never just any flowers, since flavor (and safety) matters. If I want a stronger floral note, I’ll steep the lavender a bit longer, but honestly, too much can go bitter fast.
I taste as I go. Sometimes I add a touch more maple for sweetness, or a little extra lemon to brighten things up. Balance is everything, so I try not to overdo it either way.
If I’m in the mood for something lighter, I’ll splash in a bit of soda water at the end. It makes the whole thing more refreshing and less heavy.