Honey Lavender Lemonade (and Lavender Lemonade Cocktail!)
This easy lavender lemonade and lavender lemonade cocktail recipe is sure to be a favorite all summer long. Homemade lavender simple syrup is mixed with fresh lemon juice for a perfect summer drink that is as easy as it is delicious. Add vodka and sparkling water for a refreshing summer cocktail.
Although my husband and I are mostly wine drinkers, there will always be a place in our summer for a classic vodka lemonade. Especially if that place is at the end of a hot day, grilling chicken on the porch, while our kids run through the sprinkler in the backyard. There is just something so refreshing about lemonade – it really is a summer must-have.
This refreshing lavender lemonade recipe is perfect for all your summer gatherings. With fresh lemon juice, the sweet floral flavor of honey, and a hint of lavender, this homemade lemonade is just a little more special than what you can get at the grocery stores. Add a slice of lemon and a sprig of lavender for a beautiful drink that will impress your guests. I’m including recipes below for a large batch non-alcoholic lavender lemonade (that your whole family can enjoy), and also how to turn that into a simple sparkling lavender lemonade cocktail (a special adult treat!). However you prefer to drink this, it’s sure to be a favorite for the summer months.
For more fun cocktail recipes, try my blood orange honey old fashioned, apple cider martini, or cranberry mimosa.
You Will Love This
- This homemade lavender lemonade requires only 4 simple ingredients – honey, lemon juice, lavender buds and water. It doesn’t get any easier than that!
- You can make the honey lavender simple syrup ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Preparing the simple syrup ahead means homemade lavender lemonade whenever you want it in less than 5 minutes!
- This simple drink is pretty enough for any special occasion. This is perfect for spring baby showers or bridal showers.
Ingredients
To make lavender lemonade, you will need the following simple ingredients (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):
- Honey: Use whatever kind of honey you have on hand, but remember that darker honey may make your lemonade more brown than yellow. I used wildflower honey from Costco. I love the sweet floral flavor of honey in this lemonade, but if the color of the drink is important to you and you want a vibrant yellow lemonade, I recommend using plain white sugar (use 1 cup of sugar in place of the 1 cup of honey and follow all other directions the same).
- Water
- Dried lavender buds: Make sure to use culinary lavender for this recipe. I used Kate Naturals Organic culinary grade lavender that I purchased on Amazon.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is great, but you can also buy bottled pure lemon juice at your local grocery store!
To turn your lemonade into a lemon lavender cocktail, you need:
- Your favorite vodka: I used Tito’s, but any vodka will work. Or try your favorite alcohol! I have a feeling bourbon might be good…
- Sparkling water (optional): I love a little sparkle in my cocktail on a hot day, and also find a splash of sparkling water helps cut the sweetness of the lemonade.
Instructions
Make the Lemonade
Step One: Make the honey lavender simple syrup. Add the honey, 1 cup water and lavender buds to a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a low simmer, and stir the mixture until the honey is dissolved, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat, and allow the lavender syrup to steep for 30-45 minutes. After the syrup is done steeping, strain it through a fine mesh strainer to remove the lavender buds. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, and then store syrup in a mason jar in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Step Two: Add the homemade simple syrup, lemon juice and remaining water to a large pitcher. Stir well to combine.
Make it a Cocktail!
Step Three: Fill a rocks glass with ice. Pour in one shot of vodka (approximately 1.5 ounces of alcohol) and 3 ounces of lavender lemonade. For a bubbly drink, add a splash of sparkling water. Garnish with fresh lavender sprigs and a lemon slice, and enjoy!!
Honey Lavender Lemonade (and Lavender Lemonade Cocktail!)
Ingredients
For the Lavender Lemonade
- 1 cup honey
- 4 cups water divided
- 3 tablespoons dried lavender buds
- 1 cup lemon juice
For the Lavender Lemonade Cocktail
- 1.5 ounces vodka
- 3 ounces prepared lavender lemonade
- 1 ounce sparkling water optional
- ice
Instructions
Make the Lavender Lemonade
- Make the honey lavender simple syrup. Add the honey, 1 cup water and lavender buds to a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a low simmer, and stir the mixture until the honey is dissolved, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat, and allow the lavender syrup to steep for 30-45 minutes. After the syrup is done steeping, strain it through a fine mesh strainer to remove the lavender buds. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, and then store syrup in a mason jar in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Add the homemade simple syrup, lemon juice and remaining water to a large pitcher. Stir well to combine.
Make a Lavender Lemonade Cocktail
- Fill a rocks glass with ice. Pour in one shot of vodka (approximately 1.5 ounces of alcohol) and 3 ounces of lavender lemonade. For a bubbly drink, add a splash of sparkling water. Garnish with fresh lavender sprigs and a lemon slice, and enjoy!!
