Lavender Infused Gin

Lavender Infused Gin

It only takes four hours to create this heavenly scented Lavender Infused Gin. A few fresh lavender sprigs is enough to enrich a basic gin with an intense floral flavour, making the most interesting G&T I’ve ever tasted.

Lavender Infused Gin

Contents

Back to School

You may have seen that I went back to school this week. A good friend of mine, Lisa, celebrated her big 5-0 this year. Struggling to find the right present for her I stumbled upon a Botanical Cocktail course at The School of Artisan Food on the Wellbeck Estate. Admittedly this was a bit of a selfish gift on my part, but we hardly ever get quality time together to have a good giggle and a few drinks. 

Lavender Infused Gin

Wellbeck estate is truly magical, with large historic sand stone buildings, a vast expanse of countryside, Wellbeck Manor House, farm buildings, a micro brewery and the fantastic School of Artisan Food. 

Lavender Infused Gin

The Botanical Cocktail Course was fascinating. We learned about different herbs and flowers and how to use them in infusions, liquors and simple sugar syrups. The course was also delicious, we sampled many Infused Gins, Vodkas and of course a cocktail or two, or three! Being a huge advocate for growing your own food, flowers and herbs, it was fascinating listening to Rachel Petheram talk about her experiences of growing her own produce for pleasure as well as her profession, a florist. Meeting Rachel afterwards was an honour, she is a very passionate, fascinating and lovely person who kindly allowed me to share her Lavender Infused Gin recipe. 

It tastes like soap!

I have to admit that when I first sampled the Lavender Infused Gin I was angry at Rachel for spoiling a perfectly fine gin! The infusion was so intense it tasted just like my grandmothers old potpourri, overpowering perfume. So why am I sharing a recipe that I struggled to swallow? Because when it is mixed with a crisp ice cold tonic and a squeeze of lemon, the lavender flavour mellows into the most delicious gin and tonic. Lavender Infused Gin is also a fantastic base for my new favourite cocktail, The Bees Knees, see the recipe below.

Lavender Infused Gin

Lavender Infused Gin

Preparation: 5 minutes

Infusion time: 4 hours

Makes approximately 500 ml

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

3 tsp fresh lavender flowers, approximately 3-6 sprigs

500 ml Gin (a basic, cheap gin is perfect)

Method

  1. Cut your sprigs of lavender, shake off any dirt and pick off the flowers.
  2. Measure three teaspoons of fresh flowers into a Kilner jar and top up with gin. Give the jar a good shake and leave in a cupboard.
  3. After four hours taste the gin, It should be ready. If you prefer a more intense flavour then allow to infuse for a little longer, sample every half an hour to ensure the flavour doesn’t become bitter and overpowering. 
  4. When you are happy with the flavour,  pour the gin through a fine sift and store in a sterile bottle for up to a month. 

Serve with plenty of ice, crisp tonic, a squeeze of lemon and garnish with a sprig of lavender.

Lavender Infused Gin

The Bees Knees ? 

Preparation: 5 minutes

Serves 1

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients 

60 ml Lavender Infused Gin

15 ml Freshly squeezed lemon juice

7 ml Runny honey

Method

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker 2/3 full with ice, add all the ingredients and shake hard for around 20 seconds.
  2. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a sprig of lavender.

This cocktail packs a punch, try topping up with tonic if it’s too strong for you. 

Check out my most popular Botanical flavours:

Rhubarb and Ginger Infused Gin

Pink Grapefruit and Tarragon Infused Gin

Orange and Bay Infused Gin

Botanical Lemon and Rosemary 

Please share and comment on social media, I love hearing your thoughts and opinions. 

Contains alcohol, suitable for 18+. Please enjoy responsibly.

Lee ?

Click to rate this recipe!
[Total: 0 Average: 0]