Lavender Lemonade Cocktail

To me, in spite of the inevitable blizzard, March means the promise of spring.  Spring is trying to get here and I’m finally coming back out of my winter funk, ready for a new year (never mind the year started almost three months ago.  Lol).

I’m so excited to be back and for those changes yet to come!  And without further ado, let’s start our spring with a very spring-y cocktail that can be served with or without alcohol (though I’m sure you know the way I prefer it).  The flavors scream spring and the use of lavender is one of those things that I was really proud of when I did it, because it’s a little more unusual than I’d normally explore.  But I promise the result is nothing short of delicious.  Who knew that flowers and lemons were meant for each other?

Oh, and did I mention lavender cocktails are the reason Blossom’s BiFF and I first spoke?  Mind you it was like five years before we actually dated, but still.  This drink holds a special place in my heart.

Purple is definitely one of those weird, occasionally unappetizing food colors that I don’t tap into very often.  Beyond blueberries and blackberries–which really only turn purple when they’re blended or mixed–I’m not a huge fan.  So when my cousin wanted a “Purple” themed baby shower a few years ago, my mom and I had our work cut out for us, trying to come up with a lovely menu that featured the color purple.  (We ended up having a very cute tea party.)

Of course, we couldn’t just drink tea, and finding a purple drink proved a bit frustrating.  However, I eventually came across several recipes for “Lavender Lemonade,” and decided that actually sounded like a wonderful tea party beverage.  Seeing as it was also the end of winter, with most of us chomping at the bit to see some hint of spring, this seemed like a fitting choice.

One minor issue:  I had no idea where to get Lavender.  It turns out, you can buy it at Whole Foods in a little box in the spice aisle.  But it’s pretty expensive.  A few years after the baby shower, when this recipe has become sortof a spring favorite of mine, I was looking through my favorite spice shop here in Reno, Salty Savory Sweet, and it turns out they have French Lavender for a wonderful price to buy in bulk!  Done and done.

My favorite cooking teacher here in Reno says you’re asking for trouble if you try out a new recipe for a party.  I apparently enjoy living culinarily dangerously.  I took that punch to my mom’s house after tasting it, and prayed to God it wouldn’t be too weird for everyone.  I got lucky because after a few well-thought-out tweaks from my mom, we had a tasty, non-alcoholic baby shower punch with the perfect purple hue.  Admittedly, my mom was pretty bummed when she found out it had food coloring in it.  Trust me when I say, the original color is not super appetizing, but if you want to keep it more natural, it will taste just as good without the color.

Because it was a baby shower, we kept it non-alcoholic, and I have to say, it was a pretty decent hit.  Due to shear laziness, I left the extra in mom and dad’s fridge, and boy am I glad I did!  It wasn’t until mom had full control of it, that it became a lovely Spring cocktail!

Trust me when I say, it’s great without the alcohol and would be a good light beverage to be consumed outside on one of the first patio-worthy days of the spring season.  However, the added alcohol gives it a wonderful brunch or alfresco dinner kick it needs to rise it to the level of “classy party cocktail.”

Feel free to adjust the sweetness as you see fit (my mom actually added some 7Up if she felt it was too lemon-y, I sometimes add some homemade soda just for the bubbles), but we felt the below recipe was a perfect blend of sweetness and lemony pucker with just a hint of lavender interest.  Drink up!