This floral cocktail has all the best bits of spring in a glass. Not only is it bright and refreshing, it’s bubbly and festive. Somewhere between a French 75 and a Champagne cocktail, this special cocktail is absolutely perfect for a Mother’s Day brunch. Some mothers want cake or roses, but I decided what I really want for Mother’s Day is a treat of a different sort. To come up with this cocktail, I considered all my favorite flavor combinations, but lavender and lemon made the top of my list. I had some culinary grade lavender buds in my spice cabinet just waiting to be used in some magical manner. So like the good little witch that I am, I concocted a simple syrup with the lavender buds. To say I was impressed with the result would be an understatement. When it comes to floral flavor, I’m no stranger. I often use rosewater and orange blossom water for baking. They make excellent and surprising additions to buttercream frostings. But in a cocktail? Pure magic! 

Champagne cocktails were extremely popular in the 1940s. Typically, they include bitters, a sugar cube and, obviously, Champagne. A French 75 on the other hand, has a gin base, lemon, sugar or simple syrup, and topped with Champagne. The cocktail’s name actually comes from the French 75, a field gun from the French army in World War I. The name is a nod to its potency, and I can confirm that it does pack a punch! I love the idea of a French 75 but have never been a gin fan, so I swapped it for vodka. Considering that this is a cocktail with so many flavors going on, I don’t feel the need to use a nice bottle of Champagne, or any Champagne for that matter. What you need is a dry sparkling wine in your price range. I really like Trader Joe’s Blanc de Blanc. The simple syrup will add plenty of sweetness, so a dry Prosecco or Cava will balance it nicely. To make the syrup, you simply mix equal parts of water and sugar and the lavender buds. This mixture steeps for about 5 minutes before draining out the buds. Once the syrup has completely cooled, it is ready for shaking. Champagne and sparkling wine obviously have bubbles, so you don’t want to add that to your cocktail shaker! Simply mix some lemon juice, vodka, simple syrup and plenty of ice for about 30 seconds and strain into a glass. I like a coup glass for this occasion. Then top with sparkling wine and garnish with a lemon slice or wedge. To really put it over the top, a lavender sprig or flower really adds to the beauty of this cocktail. To serve this as a mocktail, simply omit the vodka, increase the simple syrup, and replace the sparkling wine with sparkling water.

Lavender Lemon Champagne Cocktail (Serves 2)

2 ounces vodka or gin

Juice of 1 lemon

2 ounces of lavender lemon simple syrup (recipe below)

Ice

Lavender Simple Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons culinary grade lavender buds

1. Bring water and sugar to a boil until sugar dissolves. Add lavender buds and steep for 5 minutes. Drain the buds out. Allow syrup to cool completely at room temperature, then chill in the fridge until ready to make the cocktail.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add plenty of ice, the vodka, lemon juice and syrup. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into a coupe champagne glass (or a Champagne flute). Top with Champagne or sparkling wine.
3. Garnish with a slice or wedge or lemon and lavender buds or flowers.