Relax with a sweet, tangy, and floral cocktail that’s perfect for spring with this lavender lemon drop martini! It’s made with a combination of vodka, lemon, simple syrup, and triple sec, along with a lavender syrup that makes it perfect for Easter, spring, and summer occasions alike!
What is a Lavender Lemon Drop?
A lavender lemon drop is a floral twist on the classic lemon drop cocktail, combining the tartness of fresh lemon juice with the delicate, aromatic flavor of lavender.
This refreshing and flavorful drink includes vodka, lemon juice, lavender syrup, triple sec, and simple syrup for balance. The result is a smooth, citrusy cocktail with a subtle floral sweetness!
The drink is usually served in a chilled cocktail glass (like a martini glass) with a sugared rim, making it look elegant while it’s still quite simple to make. It’s a perfect cocktail for a bridal shower, spring, or summer, especially for Easter or Mother’s Day brunch!
Katie’s tip
For more lavender drinks, check out my Lavender Margarita, Lavender Vodka Lemonade, Lavender French 75 and Lavender Fizz cocktails as well!
Quick + Easy Recipes
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Ingredients List
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz triple sec (or another orange liqueur)
- ½ oz lavender syrup, like Torani (or more to taste)
For the Rim
- Wedge fresh lemon
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar (amount approximate)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- I use plain vodka, but you can also substitute a flavored variety such as blueberry, hibiscus, vanilla, lemon, or honey. Feel free to swap in gin here as well
- Fresh lemon juice is definitely best, but you can use bottled in a pinch (it will definitely affect the flavor, though)
- Triple sec can be swapped for a similar orange liqueur, like Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or O3 if preferred
- The lavender syrup is sweetened, so I find it’s enough for both the lavender flavor and the sweetness element. If you want a sweeter drink, you can add more, or add some simple syrup to the drink as well. Feel free to substitute a homemade lavender simple syrup instead if you prefer!
Step By Step Instructions
- Rim your glass by running a fresh lemon wedge around the outside rim of the glass to wet it. Then, dip the wet rim into a plate or shallow bowl with the granulated sugar, and turn to coat
- To a cocktail shaker (or similar, like a mason jar), add the vodka, lemon juice, triple sec, and lavender syrup, along with a handful of ice
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, about 15-20 seconds, then strain into prepared martini glass
- Garnish with a slice of lemon, lemon twist, or a dried lavender sprig if desired, and enjoy!
Food Pairings
Appetizers
- Goat Cheese & Honey Crostini – The tangy goat cheese and sweet honey complement the floral and citrusy notes!
- Lemon Herb Shrimp Skewers – Bright citrus flavors in the shrimp pair beautifully with the lavender and lemon
- Bruschetta with Ricotta & Fresh Herbs – A creamy, herbaceous bite that enhances the cocktail’s floral elements
- Tea Sandwiches. Light sandwiches filled with fresh vegetables, herbs, or cream cheese compliment this cocktail well. For an Easter option, try my Carrot Croissant Cones filled with your favorite sandwich fillings!
Savory Dishes
- Grilled Chicken with Lemon & Thyme – The herbal and citrusy marinade echoes the flavors in the drink
- Baked Brie with Lavender Honey – A rich, melty cheese dish with a touch of sweetness to match the cocktail
- Herb-Crusted Salmon – The fresh, light flavors of salmon pair well with the lavender and citrus
Desserts
- Lemon Shortbread Cookies – Buttery and citrusy, these cookies highlight the cocktail’s lemon notes.
- Lavender Honey Cake – A floral, lightly sweet dessert that enhances the drink’s flavors.
- White Chocolate & Lemon Tart – The creamy white chocolate and zesty lemon create a luxurious contrast.
- Scones – Sweet scones featuring lemon, lavender, or other herbs are a sweet compliment that works well for breakfast, brunch, and dessert!
Recipe FAQs
Is Lavender and Lemon a Good Combination?
Yes, lavender and lemon are a fantastic combination, balancing floral and citrus flavors for a refreshing and aromatic pairing. It’s a well-rounded flavor that works beautifully in cocktails, teas, desserts, and even savory dishes.
The combination is especially popular in spring and summer drinks, offering a light and elegant taste.
Can You Make Homemade Lavender Syrup Instead?
Absolutely! Simply simmer 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of dried culinary lavender over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Let it steep for about 15 minutes, then strain out the lavender and store the syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
For an extra vibrant color, add a small drop of purple food coloring.
Can You Make a Non-Alcoholic Version?
Yes! A non-alcoholic lavender lemon drop mocktail is just as refreshing and flavorful. Replace the vodka and triple sec with sparkling water or lemonade for a bubbly, citrusy base.
The rest of the ingredients can remain the same, and you can still garnish with a lemon slice and a sprig of lavender for an elegant touch!
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Lavender Lemon Drop
- This drink is on the stronger side due to the ratio of liquor to mixers. For a weaker drink, reduce the vodka to 1 ½ ounces
- With the sugar rim, I think this drink is well balanced for sweetness. For a less sweet drink you can skip the rim. For a sweeter drink, add more lavender syrup or regular simple syrup if you want sweetness without the floral note. The lavender flavor is light as written (as lavender can overpower easily) so choose based on your personal preference!
Storage and Serving Tips
- I usually get about 1 ½ ounces fresh lemon juice from a medium lemon, for reference when scaling. You can scale, mix everything together in a pitcher, and store in the fridge up to 24 hours in advance. Pour into individual rimmed glasses to serve!
- A martini glass is the most common barware choice for serving. However, you can use use a coupe or a rocks-style lowball glass as well
Final Thoughts
This lavender lemon drop cocktail is the perfect blend of sweet, tart, and floral, for a drink that’s perfect for spring and summer alike! I’ve served it for Easter and Mother’s Day, but it’s equally nice just to sip and relax anytime.
It’s the perfect lemon lavender cocktail blend, with the tart fresh lemon juice having just a light floral twist from the syrup, but you can add more lavender flavor if you prefer – it’s an easily customized sip!
Basically, this mixed drink is a boozy twist on lavender lemonade, adding fun floral notes to the classic lemon drop martini recipe! Cheers!
Katie’s tip
If you’re looking for more floral drinks to use up your bottle of lavender syrup, check out my delicious collection of Lavender Cocktails for inspiration!
Lavender Lemon Drop (Martini Recipe With Vodka)
Equipment
- Shaker (or similar)
- Martini glass (or similar)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce triple sec
- ½ ounce lavender syrup (or more to taste)
For the Rim
- 1 wedge fresh lemon
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
Instructions
- Rim your glass by running a fresh lemon wedge around the outside rim of the glass to wet it. Then, dip the wet rim into a plate or shallow bowl with the granulated sugar, and turn to coat1 wedge fresh lemon, 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- To a cocktail shaker, add the vodka, lemon juice, triple sec, and lavender syrup, along with a handful of ice2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce fresh lemon juice, ½ ounce triple sec, ½ ounce lavender syrup
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, about 15-20 seconds, then strain into prepared cocktail glass
- Garnish with a slice of lemon or a dried lavender sprig if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use regular vodka, or substitute a flavored variety such as blueberry, hibiscus, vanilla, lemon, or honey for different flavor combos. Feel free to swap in gin here as well
- Fresh lemon juice is definitely best, but you can use bottled if necessary
- Triple sec can be swapped for a similar orange liqueur
- Lavender syrup (like Torani or Monin) is sweetened, so I find it’s enough for both the lavender flavor and the sweetness element. If you want a sweeter drink, you can add more, or add some simple syrup to the drink as well. Feel free to substitute a homemade lavender simple syrup instead if preferred
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any garnishes added, amount of sugar used on the rim, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
