I take a sip and close my eyes – suddenly I’m in a lavender field at sunset, with all the day’s noise fading into the background. The Lavender Haze cocktail has become my summer signature, partly for that dreamy violet color and partly for the way it surprises people: fresh, floral, bright, with a twist they can’t quite place.
The first time I made it for friends, it turned into one of those evenings where everyone forgets about their phones and just lingers – someone kept insisting I must have put some secret ingredient in because “nothing this pretty should actually taste this good.” I still get texts for the recipe, sometimes at the most random hours, which always makes me laugh.
Strength & Profile
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I first fell for the Lavender Haze at this hidden-away little bar in Portland. I was wavering over another gin and tonic, but the bartender nudged me toward this, saying it was perfect for people who wanted something aromatic but weren’t big on gin. They said it was a new spin on floral cocktails – a kind of foot in the door for a world beyond basic mixers. That night, it felt like a discovery.
The drink even brings back little flashes of nostalgia. There’s something about the scent of lavender – maybe it just reminds me of those old linen drawers at my grandmother’s house. In summer, the Lavender Haze is a cool breeze; in winter, it feels soft and cozy in a way I never really expected from a cocktail.
If you get into making these, just know: regular vodka sodas are going to lose all appeal, and your friends may start inventing excuses to come over. I hosted a small backyard hangout last weekend and the pitcher was empty in no time.
Ingredients & Glassware
You’ll need:
- 2 oz vodka (I usually grab Tito’s, but use whatever you like best)
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice (don’t even think about bottled)
- 1 oz lavender syrup
- 2 oz club soda
- Ice
- Fresh lavender sprig for garnish (a few dried buds will do if that’s what you have)
Pour it into a Collins glass – the tall narrow ones that show off that lavender color. A highball glass works just as well in a pinch.
How to Make It
- Fill a shaker with ice, pour in the vodka. Make it a heavy 2 oz if you’re so inclined.
- Add the lemon juice and lavender syrup.
- Shake really well so it gets properly chilled and mixed – about 15 seconds always does it for me.
- Fill your glass with fresh ice and strain the cocktail over.
- Top with the club soda and gently stir to mingle everything (but don’t overdo it – you don’t want to lose the bubbles).
- Garnish with a lavender sprig, or add a lemon wheel if you want to get a little extra.
If I’m making a mocktail, I just skip the vodka and use about 3 oz of lemonade instead. My friend Missy swears she never misses the alcohol with this version and requests it even when she’s not pregnant.
Serve it with mild cheeses – goat cheese and figs are a knockout – or with something simple like grilled chicken dressed with lemon. The flavors all play off each other beautifully.
A few tips from experience:
- Chill your glassware ahead if you can.
- Always use fresh lemon juice, trust me on this.
- Don’t go cheap on the vodka; the clean taste lets the lavender shine through.
If you feel like improvising, swap vodka for gin to ramp up the botanicals. Elderflower syrup also makes a nice twist if you’re out of lavender, and for a sparkling version, prosecco instead of soda is a real treat.
By midsummer, when my backyard lavender is blooming, I’ll cut a bunch and invite the neighbors over for Lavender Hazes. We all end up sitting outside long after the sun goes down, trading stories while the ice melts. That’s really what this drink is about for me – easy company, a little aroma of summer, and an excuse to linger just a bit longer together.
