Lavender Meyer Lemon Tom Collins Cocktail
This Lavender Meyer Lemon Tom Collins Cocktail is a play on the classic Tom Collins, similar to a Gin Rickey or Gimlet, with a sparkling burst of herby essence.
I’ve mentioned before, I’m not much of a drinker. Yet every now and again, my hubby and I come up with cocktail recipe that is right up my alley.
With aromatic lavender filling my flowerbeds and a little Meyer lemon tree in the backyard, it was inevitable these two would come together in a magical way.
For those (like me) who haven’t yet memorized your cocktail handbook, a Tom Collins is a cocktail made of Gin and Club Soda, sometimes with a splash of lemon juice and simple syrup. A Gin Rickey is very similar with a hefty squeeze of lime juice. A gimlet, as far as I can tell, is gin with more lemon/lime and just a touch of soda.
So I don’t know exactly what to call this, but it’s pretty spectacular.
My version of the Lavender Meyer Lemon Tom Collins Cocktail involves a homemade lavender simple syrup, gin, club soda and a generous squeeze of Meyer lemon. The bright floral flavor of the Meyer lemon, and the flowery herby essence of the lavender, are the perfect pairing with the piney juniper taste of gin. Top it off with bubbles and you have something special.
I could drink this Lavender Meyer Lemon Tom Collins Cocktail all day long… but I won’t. Somehow I’d only embarrass myself. But the smooth refreshing flavor is hard to resist.
You can make this cocktail two different ways, stirred in a glass over ice or shaken and poured into a martini glass. I prefer mine over ice, while the hubs likes his shaken, not stirred.
Either way, you will find this gin rickey-gimlet-tom collins cocktail mutation quite satisfying. They go down easy.
Probably a little too easy!
More Summer Beverages:
Sparkling Pineapple Mint Juice ~ Gourmande In The Kitchen
Very Berry Bellini ~ Bell Alimento
Kiwi Blackberry Sangria ~ Yummy Mummy
Lavender Meyer Lemon Tom Collins Cocktail
Ingredients
For the Simple Syrup:
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 bunch lavender buds, stems and leaves (or 3 tablespoons dried culinary buds)
For each Tom Collins Cocktail:
- 1 ounce lavender simple syrup
- 1 ounce Meyer lemon juice about 1/2 a lemon
- 2 ounces good gin
- Ice
- Club soda
Instructions
- Heat the water, sugar and lavender in a small pot of high heat. Bring to a low boil, then cover and remove from heat. Allow the simple syrup to steep for 20 minutes. Pour through a sieve to remove the lavender. Place in the fridge until ready to use.
- For each cocktail: Fill a glass half way with ice. Pour the simple syrup, lemon juice and gin over ice. Stir, then top with club soda.
- For a martini-style Tom Collins: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the simple syrup, lemon and gin. Cover and shake for 30-60 seconds, until frothy. Pour into a martini glass and add 1-2 ounces of club soda.
I’m always up for a cocktail, especially a classic like this!
What a refreshing and unique cocktail. Now, I have one more wonderful Meyer Lemon recipe to try when I get the Meyer Lemons from my In-Law’s garden. :)
I’ve never tried cooking/baking with lavender, but it sounds so earthy and fun! Definitely going to try your simple syrup on the next go round! And looking forward to trying the cocktail as well. :)
I’m not much of a drinker, either, but this sounds really good!
What a wonderful drink and I’m embarassed to say I nver knew what was in a Tom Collins. Sounds simply delicious!
Such a beautiful cocktail Sommer + I love the idea of that homemade lavender simple syrup.
sounds divine!!! i’m off to the liquor store for the gin, we are trying this tonight!!! good work you two!
Let me know what you think!
This is GORGEOUS, Sommer!
These would be so refreshing on a hot summer day! :)
How refreshing, make me one!
I’m not a drinker, but that looks like a work of art in a glass! Very nice!
i love love love that shot of the orange with the twist of the peel missing! super impressive…every time i’ve ever tried to do that i end up just wrecking the whole thing :)
Such a fabulous cocktail! Looks perfect!
Totally gorgeous, love these photos and I’m sure I’d love the cocktail just as much.
What an inspired recipe. This would be perfect for our next family barbeque. I can’t wait to try it.
omg what a great idea! I bet the Meyer Lemon flavors this to perfection
What a gorgeous cocktail!
Nice to meet you Lavender Tom. =)