Lemon Lavender Vodka Cocktail

This gorgeous purple drink is sure to make everyone want a glass. This lemon lavender vodka cocktail is simple to make yet seriously impressive to see and sip.

Also try coconut margarita, black cherry vodka sours or any of these St Patrick’s Day drinks or whip up homemade lavender syrup!

Why You’ll Love It

So simple: You can make this lavender martini ahead of time, preparing all the components. Making a craft cocktail has never been this straightforward.
Really delicious: The flavors of lemon and lavender are wonderful together, making this an ideal drink to serve at baby showers, wedding showers, summer BBQs, and more besides.
Definitely impressive: If you wait until your guests are watching to add the lemon to the simple syrup, they can see the mixture change from blue to purple. So, they get magic as well as a great cocktail!

Lavender Martini Ingredients

Dried lavender buds: To flavor the lavender syrup.
Butterfly pea flowers: Also for the lavender syrup.
Elderflower vodka: I used the Saint Germaine one.
Lemon vodka: For a complementary flavor.
Limoncello: Rich, sweet and lemony (try my homemade limoncello!)
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best.

How to Make this Lavender Cocktail

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Start the lavender syrup: Boil the water and sugar.
Cook the lavender syrup: Add the lavender flowers and butterfly pea flowers and simmer.
Finish the lavender simple syrup: Cover and steep, then transfer into a mason jar to cool completely.
Assemble the cocktail: Add lemon to the cooled syrup, then mix with all the other ingredients in a pitcher or a cocktail glass. No cocktail shaker is needed. Garnish with a lemon slice.

Substitutions and Variations

Vodka: You don’t have to use brand-name vodka if you have a preferred alternative. Even plain vodka with an extra squeeze of lemon would work. Of course, another idea is to sub gin for the vodka if that’s your preference.
Lavender syrup: You can also buy readymade lavender syrup (here) if you want a shortcut or can’t find all the ingredients to make your own. Not only is it tasty, but it’s versatile, too, since you can add it to tea and lattes or drizzle it over ice cream. If you prefer plain lavender to lavender and butterfly pea flower, you can make lavender simple syrup instead.
Garnish: Change the garnish with a lemon wheel and a bit of fresh lavender flower or a lavender sprig on top of the martini’s surface. You could even rim the glass with some lavender sugar.
Alcohol-free version: If you’re looking for a mocktail option, you will love this color changing lemonade. You get all the flavor without the alcohol content.

Serving Suggestions

With appetizers: This aromatic cocktail party drink is the perfect way to kick off any kind of party or get-together. The fun color makes it a great addition to any birthday party, wedding shower or baby shower. Additionally, consider serving it with tasty snacks such as jalapeno popcorn, dirty martini shrimp or cowboy caviar.
With the main dish: Pair it with a main dish like garlic butter steak bites and crispy smashed potato salad.

How to Store

Store: You can prepare the syrup a day ahead and keep it refrigerated, but don’t prepare the cocktails until it’s time to serve them.
Freeze: This recipe isn’t a great candidate for freezing, so it’s best made and served fresh.