Lavender Mint Julep Mocktail Recipe
This Lavender Mint Julep Mocktail is a refreshing drink that uses simple tools, fresh herbs, and natural flavors. I carefully measure my ingredients and follow clear steps to create a tasty mocktail with a calming lavender twist.
Equipment
- Muddler or wooden spoon
- Jigger or measuring spoons
- Small saucepan
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Cocktail shaker or mason jar with lid
- Tall glass (like a julep cup or highball glass)
- Bar spoon: for stirring.
- Ice (preferably crushed)
- Small knife and cutting board
- Reusable straw (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender or 2 tablespoons fresh lavender flowers
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves plus extra for garnish
- Juice of 1/2 lemon about 1 tablespoon
- 1/2 cup cold sparkling water or club soda
- Crushed ice
- Extra lavender sprigs and lemon slices for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add the lavender, sugar, and water to a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let the syrup cool for 10 minutes.
- Strain the lavender syrup through a fine mesh strainer to remove the flowers.
- Muddle the mint leaves gently in the bottom of a shaker or mason jar. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the lavender syrup and lemon juice.
- Fill with crushed ice. Shake or stir well to combine.
- Pour into a tall glass. Top with sparkling water or club soda.
Notes
If the drink is too strong or too sweet, I just adjust the amount of lavender syrup or sparkling water. The mocktail works best when served very cold, with plenty of crushed ice.
For a larger batch, I double or triple the syrup and mint, then assemble each glass fresh. Sometimes, I use honey instead of sugar for a different twist.
I store leftover lavender syrup in the fridge in a sealed jar for up to a week.