This purple lavender gin and tonic (with Empress gin) is as beautiful as it is tasty! This sophisticated cocktail is floral in flavor and absolutely stunning.
The classic gin and tonic is made with gin, tonic water, ice and a lime wedge! A lavender gin and tonic uses lavender simple syrup to add a slightly sweeter, lavender flavor to the popular classic.
If gin is your spirit of choice, make sure to check out this delightful gin margarita or lavender collins! And if you want a more festive cocktail try a cranberry gin fizz.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It is stunning! The vibrant indigo colored Empress gin mixed with lavender simple syrup and tonic water creates an elegant cocktail.
- You only need 3 ingredients!
- Lavender gin and tonics are perfect for brunch, bridal showers or even garden parties!
- There are several refreshing variations available to suite your taste buds.
Ingredient Notes
- Empress 1908 Gin - I highly recommend using Empress gin. It is a beautiful indigo color due to the butterfly pea blossoms used during its distillation. If you don't want to purchase this gin, you can simply swap in your favorite gin!
- Lavender simple syrup - all you need is sugar (or honey), water and culinary grade lavender!
- Tonic water - I used Trader Joe's brand but other popular tonic waters include Schweppes, Seagram's, Whole Foods 365, Canada Dry and Fever-Tree.
- Ice - to keep it nice and cool!
See below for substitutions and variations. See recipe card for quantities.
Step by Step Instructions
Add the gin and lavender simple syrup to a mixing glass with ice.
Stir well for about 10 seconds until everything is combined.
Pour the lavender gin into a glass with ice.
Pour the tonic water into the glass and enjoy!
Hint: To make lavender simple syrup all you need is equal parts water and sugar, and a few tablespoons of dried culinary grade lavender! Heat the sugar, water and lavender until the sugar dissolves. Let is sit for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse. Strain and enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
- Lemon lavender - muddle a lemon wedge in the bottom of the mixing glass with the gin and lavender simple syrup.
- Cucumber - muddle a few slices of cucumber at the bottom of the mixing glass with the gin and simple syrup. Make sure to garnish the glass with a cucumber ribbon!
- Blueberry - muddle 1 tablespoon of blueberries at the bottom of the mixing glass with the lavender simple syrup and gin.
- Honey lavender - follow the recipe for my honey lavender simple syrup!
Storage
I recommend making this cocktail fresh to order. You can certainly make and store the simple syrup ahed of time but the rest of the cocktail should be made to order.
I do not recommend freezing this cocktail.
Top tip
Stir the gin rather than shaking it for a more pure flavor! When you shake gin in a cocktail shaker it will add more ice to the gin causing it to be a milder flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Empress 1908 gin is a deep indigo color due to the butterfly pea blossoms it is made with! Empress gin changes colors as you use difference ingredients in cocktails.
You can find Empress 1908 Gin near year by using the Find Your Empress tool on their website.
You will need gin, lavender simple syrup and tonic water to make a lavender gin and tonic.
More Cocktails You'll Love
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Lavender Gin and Tonic (with Empress)
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- ½ oz lavender simple syrup
- 4 oz tonic water
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the lavender simple syrup and gin.
- Stir for about 10 seconds until combined.
- Pour into a glass over ice and top off with tonic water. Enjoy!
Notes
- Empress 1908 Gin will give this cocktail its unique purple color. You can also use your favorite gin in place of Empress.
Mary Ruedisili says
I need more precise measurements for the lavender syrup.
Emily Toshiko says
Hi Mary! You will a 1/2 ounce of lavender simple syrup (about 3 teaspoons) as stated in the recipe. You can purchase lavender simple syrup or make your own following the recipe linked below. I hope this helps! 🙂 https://toshistable.com/honey-lavender-simple-syrup-for-cocktails/
Monica says
This recipe is amazing! My cocktails were a huge hit at my birthday party! Thank you for this recipe!!
Emily Toshiko says
Thanks Monica! Happy Birthday! I'm glad they were a huge hit. Enjoy!
Em says
I can't get over how pretty this drink is! The lavender flavor is just the right amount.
Deb Hermansen says
I love empress gin!! I've been drinking this since 2018 when I discovered it in Reno. I've made several different drinks using the lavender gin as I love how it changes colors with what you mix with it. In fact I have my own gin martini recipe. Keep up the good work. Thank you for posting.
Emily Toshiko says
Hi Deb! Thank you so much for the kind comment! I totally agree, the Empress gin is so pretty and it's fun to watch the colors change! Yum - that gin martini recipe sounds fabulous. 🙂