If I could go back and live in another time, it would definitely be during the Prohibition Era. Besides the bootlegging and racketeering, I love the music, fashions, and excitement of these seemingly wild times, and needless to say, I find the show Boardwalk Empire absolutely fascinating. I also love a good speakeasy. From NYC’s Milk & Honey to PDT to Raines Law Room, I am more than willing to overlook the elitism, pretentiousness, and absurd prices in order to enjoy their impeccable mixology. Some of the cocktails that these elite establishments engineer seem to defy the laws of physics, and once concocted, look like true works of art.
I had one of the most memorable cocktails ever at The Gibson in DC. For the life of me, I cannot remember the exact ingredients, but I do remember that the bartender (or mixologist) included gin and some delicious lavender simple syrup and then set the drink on fire! To take the first steps towards recreating this mysterious cocktail, I decided to make some lavender simple syrup. I will figure out the rest of the ingredients some time or another, but for now, I will just focus on the syrup. Sorry to say, but I chose to sidestep the pyrotechnics as well. Maybe next time.
Lavender Simple Syrup
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons dried lavender buds
Method
Bring the water and sugar to a boil, so that the sugar fully dissolves. Add the lavender buds and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Drain and let the syrup cool. I left a few buds in the syrup because I think they make a pretty presentation. In addition to mysterious cocktails, this syrup is wonderful in teas or over vanilla ice cream. If anyone has a yummy martini recipe including lavender simple syrup, please let me know!
10 comments:
Although I haven't tried the syrup yet, the former bartender in me thinks this may work:
2 oz Hendricks gin
1 oz St Germain Liquor
1/2 oz of Lavender syrup
Combine all ingredients over ice in a martini shaker. Shake it for about 30 seconds so that you bruise the ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. (when u bruise the ice, you get those nice little ice chips on the top of your drink)
I think you can find lavender sugar in some specialty food stores. If so, try dimming half the martini glass with it. Running half the glass is a cool presentation and gives the option for sips without it :)
*rimming, not dimming. Sorry!
Great pic on top. Is that in the South of France?
Hi Sophie. Yes! I took that photo while at the flower market in Nice, France :)
Try that in a shot of vodka...it is absolutely divine, and was my tipple of choice at a bar here in Marseille - before I learned I was (am) expecting my first child :)
Bonne soirée!
Claire
Sorry...by "that" I mean the lavender syrup :)
Muddle approx 10 blueberries with 1/2 oz lavender simple syrup. Add 2 oz blueberry vodka, lemonade and ice. Shake. Strain into Collins glass filled with ice. Top with a splash of sprite or tonic and a few whole blueberries. Delish!!
I made this a last month. It makes an excellent addition to cocktails and a great substitution for maple syrup on pancakes.
Lavender Lemonade:
1 oz Gin (Vodka works as well)
1/2 oz Lavender Simple Syrup
Juice of 1/2 Lemon
Add these to glass, then fill glass with ice, and top with soda water.
This has been a huge hit with everyone I've made it for!
I had a cucumber martini with lavender syrup and cucumber & pear vodka. The bartender muddled cucumbers & basil the shook the vodkas with the syrup and ice. It was poured in the glass with some ice chips in it and garnished with a huge beautiful basil leaf. These were not on the menu but I ask the bartender if he could make a cucumber martini and he did. Delicious.
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