Cocktail hour just got a whole lot more interesting with the Lavender Margarita – an enchanting blend of lime, tequila and floral lavender simple syrup. One sip whisks you away to relaxing sunny days wandering through blooming rows of fragrant purple buds. The tart citrus and smooth agave mingle perfectly with the sweet aroma of Lavender Honey Syrup infused with aromatic dried lavender buds and oil. Garnished with a sprig of vibrant purple flowers, it’s sure to be your new go-to summer cocktail.
This brilliant purple potion may sound unusual, but trust me – one taste and you’ll be hooked! The complex yet delicate flavor of lavender flawlessly complements the inherent flavors of a classic margarita. Read on to learn about the fascinating history of this unique floral cocktail and find my perfected recipe to mix up a batch of sweet summer memories – no matter the season!
A Most Unexpected Summer Stroll Inspires a Creative Cocktail
The lavender margarita origin story begins when Julio, manager of the Orchid Lounge cocktail bar, and head bartender Joaquin took an inspiring summer field trip. They attended a lavender festival at a nearby farm back in late July, seeking fresh cocktail ideas for their summer menu. Wandering through endless rows of gently swaying aromatic purple blooms inspired vivid dreams of a new warm-weather drink.
After the scorching hot farm tour, they returned to the bar reenergized and experimenting with floral infusions. Various combinations of lime, tequila, agave nectar and fragrant lavender were tested until suddenly – their vision came into full bloom! The final complex yet refreshing balance of tart and sweet with soft floral notes made the new concoction an instant summertime success.
And thus, the now famous Orchid Lounge Lavender Margarita was born!
Infusing Simple Syrup with Lavender
The key to crafting Joaquin’s brilliant purple signature cocktail is in the Lavender Honey Syrup made onsite at the Orchid Lounge. Their secret sweetener contains the concentrated essence of fresh organic lavender buds infused into wildflower honey simple syrup. This aromatic purple nectar balances and rounds out the tangy citrus and hearty agave flavors in the drink.
To make it, they first create a warm Simple Syrup for Margaritas from equal parts honey and water. Next, dried fragrant lavender buds and the floral essential oil are added as the mixture slowly simmers. This infuses the syrup with deep aromatic botanical notes.
Once cooled, this fragrant Lavender Honey Syrup provides the base for their crowd-pleasing cocktail. Try using it to lend a pop of floral flavor and vivid violet hue to all sorts of drinks beyond margaritas too – from lemonade, iced tea, champagne cocktails and more!
Crafting the Perfect Floral Margarita for Any Occasion
Now that you know the backstory, it’s time for the best part – making these marvelous margaritas at home! Start by gathering high quality ingredients: lime juice, 100% agave tequila, honey and dried culinary lavender buds free of pesticides.
Once you have the essentials, follow my recipe below to concoct the sublime floral cocktail that will have you instantly envisioning sunny fields full of buzzing bees and rows of bobbing purple buds. Mix up a pitcher full to share the summer nostalgia with friends!
The Balance is Everything
Finding that ideal harmony of flavors and aromas took loads of testing various recipes. But trust me – using quality organic ingredients, precisely doubling the lavender, and fine-tuning acidity and sweetness levels is key. Take notes as you experiment so you can replicate (or improve) your favorite version again.
Soon these gorgeous purple elixirs will be your go-to drink for sipping lakeside, at backyard barbeques, girls night in and more. One whiff of your freshly mixed floral margarita pitchers will flood your mind with memories of those blooming lavender farm fields visited one hot summer day not so long ago.
Each sweet aromatic sip stirs up visions of wandering the rows, inhaling the intoxicating scent where fields meet sky and basking in the heat of the brilliant afternoon sun. So get mixing up memories with the marvelous magic of my lavender margarita recipe now!
Lavender Margarita
Ingredients
For the Lavender Honey Syrup:
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup dried culinary lavender buds
- 1 tsp culinary dried lavender oil
For the Margaritas:
- 1 1/2 cups tequila
- 1/2 cup lime juice freshly squeezed from about 5 large limes
- 1/2 cup Lavender Honey Syrup
- 4 lime wedges for rimming glasses
- Dried lavender buds for garnish
Instructions
Lavender Honey Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the honey and water over medium heat. Stir continuously until fully blended.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Add lavender buds and oil and steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove buds.
- Let cool completely before using in margaritas.
The Margaritas:
- Use a lime wedge to rim 4 margarita glasses with salt. Discard wedges.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine tequila, lime juice and Lavender Honey Syrup. Shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled.
- Fill glasses with fresh ice. Strain margarita mixture evenly into all 4 glasses.
- Garnish drinks with dried lavender buds.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your sweet summer memories!
Stylish and sophisticated recipe!