Lavender Whiskey Lemonade

So we're a day late, but not a drink short this week. And this one is delicious. We made this Lavender Whiskey Lemonade for Find Your Spirit Festival this past weekend in Asheville and it was such a hit, we just had to share it with everyone this week for Boozeday Tuesday. 

​Lavender is known for its relaxing properties and who doesn't love to relax on a porch with some lemonade on  nice Carolina spring or summer day? Only a crazy person would say that doesn't sound appealing. So how do you get refreshed and relaxed with a Lavender Whiskey Lemonade? 

This cocktail is so easy and can easily be batched for a crowd. The only thing you have to do is make lavender simple syrup. I make mine with my electric kettle because that way it's faster and I don't have to stand over a stove and wait for water to boil. But you can make your simple syrup on the stove or with an electric kettle. Shoot, even a stove top kettle could do the trick! All you need is dried or fresh lavender flowers, I got mine on Amazon, sugar and water. 

LAVENDER SIMPLE SYRUP
Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp dried or fresh lavender flowers
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar

Directions:
Electric Kettle

• Heat water in kettle. When ready pour boiling water over sugar and lavender flowers. Allow to steep for 30 minutes to several hours (I did ~4 hours) depending on desired potency. Use a mesh strainer to separate simple syrup from flowers. Allow to cool and *refrigerate. 

Stovetop

• Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan over med-high heat. Continue to cook until all sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally. Remove pan from heat and add lavender flowers. Allow to steep to desired potency. Strain flowers out. Allow to cool and *refrigerate. 

LAVENDER WHISKEY LEMONADE
Ingredients:

• 2oz **Boundary Street Bourbon OR Rye Whiskey OR Maple
• 1oz Lavender Simple Syrup
• 4oz ***Simply Lemonade
• Club Soda (optional)

Directions:
Combine choice of whiskey, lavender simple syrup and lemonade over ice in a Collins glass. Stir well until combined. Add additional ice, if desired. Top with club soda. Garnish with lemon wheel, lavender flower, or both. 


*Simple syrup will keep in fridge for ~2 weeks.
**Which whiskey is best? That depends on how you like your lemonade. Maple will make for a sweeter lemonade. Bourbon hides itself well and complements the flavors in the lemonade. Rye Whiskey will be a bit more spirit forward and will add some spicy and additional herbal subtleties.
***Feel free to make your own lemonade. We just liked the simplicity and flavor guarantee of Simply Lemonade.