Lavender Elderflower Gin Sour Cocktail Recipe

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I've got just the thing for those looking for a refreshing sipper come springtime! This Lavender Elderflower Gin Sour is the perfect balance of floral botanical notes and tartness - a delicious cocktail to enjoy as you welcome warmer days. With fragrant lavender syrup complimenting subtle elderflower liqueur, combined with gin and fresh lemon juice, each sip of this Lavender Elderflower Gin Sour will transport you.

Side view of two lavender elderflower gin sour cocktails with bottle of indigo gin on marble surface.

Elderflower and lavender are delicious in this refreshing cocktail made with gin, elderflower liqueur, lavender simple syrup, lemon juice, and aquafaba. The subtle floral sweetness is balanced perfectly in a blend of flavors to take you from winter to spring. You might also enjoy this Aperol Spritz or Hugo Spritz when the weather gets warm!

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What Is a Gin Sour?
Ingredients
Substitutions
Variations
How to Make This Lavender Elderflower Gin Sour Cocktail Recipe
Expert Tips
How To Make a Lemon Twist
Equipment
Storage
Recipe FAQs
Related Gin Cocktail Recipes
Recipe
Comments

This festive and elegant lavender elderflower cocktail will surely bring delight wherever it's served, whether at happy hour or brunch! Aquafaba, when shaken up, takes on a delicate, frothy texture that adds to the smoothness of this elegant cocktail that's perfect for your next special occasion!

I was inspired to create this Empress gin sour recipe with lavender and elderflower, a variation on my Plum Ginger Gin Sour cocktail I made over the fall. If you're looking for a non-alcoholic refreshing summer drink, try this Blue Lagoon Mocktail.

Serve this refreshing cocktail with these easy-to-make Vegan Cranberry Cream Cheese Bites for a delicious appetizer and cocktail combination! Or serve it at brunch with this JUST Egg Frittata or JUST Egg Quiche.

Try this Pomegranate Gimlet, Hugo Spritz, Strawberry Elderflower Gin Fizz, or Blood Orange French 75 for more delicious cocktails!

What Is a Gin Sour?

A classic cocktail, a traditional gin sour contains gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. The sourness and tartness of the lemon juice complement the sweetness of the simple syrup, making the perfect balance of sweet and sour!

I have replaced simple syrup with lavender syrup in this subtly floral variation of a gin sour. To make this recipe vegan, I replaced egg whites with aquafaba, the bean water from a can. Then, it's shaken up with the remaining ingredients to create foam. It's optional, but it adds a lot to the smoothness and elegance of this cocktail.

Side view of two lavender elderflower gin sour cocktails on marble surface.

I usually avoid gin at all costs - but decided to try this drink recipe anyway. Wow! The lavender and elderflower make this a stand out recipe...

- Stephanie

Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients you will need for this easy-to-make lavender simple syrup:

Sugar - I used organic vegan cane sugar, which is vegan.
Water
Lavender - culinary dried lavender buds - I found mine locally at Natural Grocers. Be sure to use culinary lavender. You can find it locally at health food stores or online.

These are the ingredients you need to make the Lavender Elderflower Gin Sour cocktail:

Gin - I used Empress 1908, a delicious gin. This premium gin gets its all-natural unique indigo color from the infusion of butterfly pea flowers post-distillation. Feel free to use your favorite gin.
Aquafaba - The high protein of this bean water from a can of chickpeas is a fantastic replacement for egg white in the classic recipe. Save the chickpeas for this Chickpea Quinoa Salad or Chickpea Tuna Salad.
Elderflower liqueur - I used St. Germain.
Lemon juice - fresh citrus juice is best. The tartness of the lemon complements the lavender syrup nicely!
Lavender simple syrup (instructions are below) - a variation of simple syrup perfect for the coming of spring!
Citrus for garnish, optional
Lavender sprigs for garnish, optional. We grow lavender in a large pot in our yard!

A complete ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Substitutions

Aquafaba - if you don't have a can of chickpeas to get the bean water from, try a can of butter beans. I usually select a brand that has unsalted canned chickpeas. The aquafaba makes a lovely foam when shaken and adds an interesting visual element to the cocktail; it is optional!
Gin - if you don't care for gin, use vodka instead.
Elderflower liqueur - use elderflower syrup instead, such as Belvoir.
Lemon juice - use lime juice instead, although lemon juice is classic.
Lavender syrup - try simple syrup instead or agave nectar.
Garnish - add a lime or orange twist to the rim of the glass instead of garnishing with lemon.

Variations

If you prefer a sweeter or sourer gin sour cocktail, adjust the lavender simple syrup and lemon juice to your taste.

Mocktail - skip the gin; replace it with sparkling water, soda water, ginger beer, or club soda.
Angostura bitters - add a few drops on top of the foam. Or try lavender bitters! Orange bitters would be a lovely alternative.

See my autumn variation of a gin sour in this Plum Ginger Gin Sour!

How to Make This Lavender Elderflower Gin Sour Cocktail Recipe

It's easy to make this variation of a gin sour cocktail. First, make the lavender simple syrup, let it cool, and then make the cocktail.

For the Lavender Simple Syrup

This delicious recipe makes approximately a cup of lavender syrup.

Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, and lavender buds.
Step 2: Heat on medium and occasionally stir until the sugar dissolves.
Step 3: Remove from the heat and let sit for 30 minutes. Let cool and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

For the Lavender Elderflower Gin Sour Cocktail

First, you will do a dry shake. Add all the ingredients (except the ice) to the cocktail shaker and shake to thoroughly mix the ingredients. Then, add the ice and shake again.

Step 4: Add the gin, aquafaba, lemon juice, and lavender simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
Step 5: Shake for 30 seconds. Add a cup of ice, then shake again.
Step 6: Strain into a chilled coupe glass or your favorite cocktail glass.
Step 7: Garnish with lemon twists or lavender sprigs, if desired. Want to know how to make lemon twist garnishes? Read on!

If skipping the aquafaba, skip the dry shake and shake with ice.

Expert Tips

It makes a difference to use fresh, quality ingredients!

Use a quality gin; I love the botanical flavors and beautiful natural indigo color of Empress 1908 Gin. Adding any acidity, such as citrus juice or tonic water, transforms it into a beautiful pink color.

Side view of two cocktail glasses filled with lavender elderflower gin sour before garnish.

How To Make a Lemon Twist

Step 1: Cut into the lemon rind with a swivel peeler or vegetable peeler, going around the entire lemon.
Step 2: Cut a rectangle approximately 5 to 6 inches long and an inch wide. Remove any excess pith.
Step 3: Cut a narrow strip approximately 5 mm wide (less than a quarter-inch). Wind it around something narrow like a cocktail stick and let it rest on a damp towel with something to lightly hold it in place, like a pinch bowl. After 15 minutes, your lemon twists should be good to go.

Note: You can make the lemon twists ahead of time. If you have any extras, keep them curled around the cocktail sticks and place them in an airtight container on a slightly damp paper towel.

Refrigerate for up to one week, and you'll have lemon twists ready when you need them.

Equipment

Cocktail shaker - I love this beautiful glass cocktail shaker, I have had it for years.
Cocktail glasses such as coupe glasses or my favorite Nick and Nora glasses.
Cocktail picks to wrap the citrus around- I love these elegant signature cocktail picks from Empress 1908 Gin!

Storage

This Lavender Elderflower Gin Sour cocktail is best enjoyed right after it is made.

Store the lavender simple syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use fresh lavender?

I don't recommend it because I've made the simple syrup with dried culinary-grade lavender buds, which have a lovely floral flavor.

Can I make this cocktail ahead of time?

First, you can make the lavender simple syrup ahead of time. Then, make the cocktail immediately before enjoying it for the best results.

How strong is this lavender elderflower gin cocktail?

It's moderately strong. It's more potent than a glass of wine but not as strong as a martini.

Why is Empress 1908 Gin an indigo color?

Butterfly pea blossom is added to Empress 1908 Gin in the final distillation process, imparting subtle earthy notes and an all-natural indigo hue.

If you try this recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!

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Comments

5 from 158 votes (147 ratings without comment)