It’s a rare day that I post a recipe the same day that I made something but I’m sitting here drinking this lavender julep and I just had to share the recipe with you ASAP. I’m a bourbon girl, what can I say? There’s little I love more than a frosty julep glass and a bourbon cocktail on a hot day.
This is a spin on the classic mint julep. Here, bourbon is mixed with a homemade lavender simple syrup (it’s so easy!) and garnished with a fresh lavender sprig from my garden. (Side bar: if you don’t grow lavender already, try it! It’s such an easy herb to grow and it makes the whole yard smell like a spa when the wind blows.)
If you’ve never made simple syrup before, don’t fret. It isn’t hard. It’s easy to make as much or as little as you need. I wrote this up for 1 cup of simple syrup but I actually made half a cup (with 2 Tbsp lavender) today. Just multiply as needed!
This recipe uses culinary lavender, which I talk about a lot here on The Rose Table. (Can you say #fangirl?) I bought a bag for about $10 on Amazon last year and I haven’t made a dent in it. It keeps forever so get yourself a bag and come over to the purple side! We’ve got juleps!
Lavender Julep
Serves 1
2 oz bourbon (I used Still Austin Whiskey Co.)
3/4 oz lavender simple syrup
Fresh lavender sprig
Finely crushed ice
- Fill julep glasses with crushed eyes, a straw, and a fresh lavender sprig. Pour bourbon and lavender simple syrup over ice and stir.
Lavender Simple Syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
4 Tbsp dried culinary lavender
- Bring sugar, water, and lavender buds to a boil in a small sauce pan until sugar is completely dissolved. Cool and strain to remove the lavender buds. The simple syrup will be a gorgeous purple hue. Keep it in a jar for up to a week.
Want more Kentucky Derby party ideas? Read about my Derby party here and get my recipe for a classic Mint Julep here.
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