The Lavender Gin Lemon Drop

Welcome to The Craine’s Nest!

10 days to go, and the countdown to Summer has officially begun!  Despite Southern California’s “Perennial Summer”, we do experience some of our cloudiest weather this time of year.  Yes- June Gloom has kicked in and while I love cool, cloudy days in January, I find them a bit depressing in June.  It’s a little chilly (like 65ish, which is totally burrrrr here in SoCal!) and VERY grey… I know what you’re thinking… “yeah, poor southern Californian… she thinks 65 is cold… there’s probably one cloud in that sunny sky”… but rest assured, it’s REALLY grey. So, while I await the return of the summer sun, I’ll take this opportunity to perfect some refreshing cocktails.  When those beautiful days come back, I’ll be armed and ready!

I’ve concocted 2 Lemony Lavender Gin Cocktails, 1 Shaken and 1 Stirred. Perfect for a Summer Party or sipping by the pool.  We’re all waiting for you, beautiful Summer Solstice!  See you when you get here.

First up:

The Lavender Gin Lemon Drop

This is what you’ll need on your list:

• 2 ounces of Bombay (or your favorite dry gin)
• Lavender-  You can buy a small Lavender plant at Trader Joe’s or Home Depot or get clippings from a friend or your own garden-  my awesome B-in-L, Sean, gave me some of his beautiful Lavender.
• 3 tablespoons of Lavender Simple Syrup- recipe below
• Lavender Dry Soda Water-  Target:

• 2 Lemons
• Sugar

Simple Syrup Recipe:

• 1 cup Water
• 1 cup Sugar
• About 7 stalks of Lavender with leaves and 2-3 Lavender flowers:  everything chopped

Take all your ingredients (water, sugar, and chopped lavender) and put into a small to medium-sized sauce pan.  Place your burner on medium/high heat and stir all ingredients together.  Keep stirring until sugar has dissolved and leaves, stalks, and flowers are beginning to wilt down.  Once all the sugar has dissolved, keep stirring and allow everything to come to a rolling boil.  I let it boil softly while stirring for about 2 more minutes, then take the pot off the heat, and steep for about 45 minutes.  Take a fine colander and strain the syrup to catch all the stems, leaves, and flowers of the lavender.  Put your Lavender Simple Syrup into an air-tight container and place in the fridge.  It should keep for 2 weeks to 1 month.

Take a shaker and fill almost to the top with ice.  Pour in 2 ounces of Bombay or your favorite Dry Gin and 3 tablespoons of the Lavender Simple Syrup.  Fill the shaker with Lavender Dry Soda Water, so that the shaker’s about 3/4 full to the top (with everything in there: the gin, syrup, and ice) and squeeze in the juice of 1 lemon.  Get a martini glass ready by rimming it with fine sugar, place your top on your shaker, and shake, shake, shake until everything is freezing.  Pour the drink into your sugar rimmed martini glass.  Garnish with a Lemon Wheel and Lavender Sprig and serve!

Next up:

The Lemon Lavender GT and Soda

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 ounces of Bombay (or your favorite dry gin)
• Lavender-  You can buy a small Lavender plant at Trader Joe’s or Home Depot or get clippings from a friend or your own garden-  my awesome B-in-L, Sean, gave me some of his beautiful Lavender.
• 3 tablespoons of Lavender Simple Syrup- recipe below
• Lavender Dry Soda Water-  Target
• Tonic Water
• 2 Lemons
• Sugar

First, make your Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup Water
• 1 cup Sugar
• About 7 stalks of Lavender with leaves and 2-3 Lavender flowers:  everything chopped

*Follow Simple Syrup Recipe above.

Fill your glass to the top with ice-  I used a stemless wine glass.  Start with 2 ounces of Bombay (or a good Dry Gin), followed by 3 tablespoons of Lavender Simple Syrup.  Next, fill the glass with Lavender Soda Water to about 3/4 full.  Squeeze the juice of half a lemon, and top off with tonic.  Stir well.  Garnish with a lemon wheel and a lavender sprig and drink up!  A refreshing Summer Sip!

Thanks for stopping by and please check back for more summer drinks, food, fashion, and DIY’s!

Happy Nesting.

Kirstie xo