Homemade Lavender Liqueur Recipe for Summer Cocktails
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Add a burst of floral flavors to any drink or cocktail with this easy homemade lavender liqueur! You’ll need some simple ingredients & time!
I love playing with lavender in the kitchen. It has a beautiful floral flavor that pairs well with citrus, fresh berries, vanilla bean, and even earl grey tea. It made sense to try to infuse a little vodka with dried lavender to make my own cocktails for summer!
This lavender liqueur requires just a handful of simple ingredients and tastes so luxurious. Drink it over some crushed ice. It’s an amazing addition to your favorite lemonade on those hot summer days!
If you love lavender too, try making this easy lavender extract or lavender honey to add a pop of flavor to your bakes and cakes. I love adding this lavender sugar to cookies and it’s great on these lavender muffins!
What is lavender liqueur?
Liqueurs are made by infusing alcohol with different herbs or fruits. To make lavender liqueur, you infuse dried lavender buds in vodka.
After the vodka takes on the flavor notes from the lavender, you combine the mixture with a simple syrup. This tones down the intense lavender flavor and makes it so easy to drink. It can then be served on its own over ice or in a variety of summery cocktails!
Why you’ll love this lavender liqueur recipe
- So versatile – This is such a versatile liqueur! It can be served over ice, with a little sparkling water, in lemonade, or a variety of alcoholic beverages.
- Great for entertaining – Although you can certainly make it for yourself, this liqueur is lovely at bridal showers, Mother’s Day brunches, and other special events.
- Easy to make – I’m sharing two different strategies below to help you make this recipe as quickly as you’d like!
Equipment
To make this lavender liqueur recipe, you’ll need different supplies depending on the method.
For the quicker, syrup-based recipe, you’ll just need:
- Medium saucepan (ideally not metal)
- Wooden spoon
- Fine mesh strainer
- Narrow funnel (optional)
- Large glass jar
For the longer, infusion method, you won’t need the saucepan at all!
Ingredients
- Dried lavender: I prefer to use dried lavender because it’s easy to find. Choose a culinary-grade lavender, like English lavender, to make sure your liqueur doesn’t taste soapy.
- Vodka: You can choose any spirit, but since lavender has such a distinct flavor, I prefer to use neutral vodka.
- Sugar: You’ll create a simple syrup with sugar and water to dilute and sweeten the liqueur.
- Lemon zest & juice: Lavender and lemon are a match made in heaven. A little fresh lemon juice makes this liqueur even better.
- Food coloring: This ingredient is optional, but helps makes your lavender liqueur have a purple tint.
How to Make Lavender Liqueur
Infusion Method
This method is much slower and longer. It takes an entire month for the vodka to take on the flavors of the lavender. It’s great for people who aren’t in a rush and don’t mind allowing the flavors to mingle longer.
- Add the dried lavender buds, lemon zest, and vodka to a mason jar. Seal, shake, and store in a dry, dark place. Shake daily for one month.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine your sugar and water. Stir gradually until the sugar crystals are dissolved. Add the lemon juice and stir. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
- Strain the lavender liqueur into a large pitcher. Add the syrup and optional food coloring, then stir.
- Set up two quart jars with a funnel and fill them with liqueur.
- Seal the jars to use later or use immediately.
Lavender Syrup Method
This quicker method uses a base of homemade lavender simple syrup and is ready in just a couple of hours instead of requiring a longer infusion time! It won’t have the same depth of flavor as the slower method, but it works great for a party!
- Place the sugar, lavender buds, lemon juice zest, and water in a medium saucepan. Set over medium heat and stir occasionally until the sugar crystals dissolve. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
- Set the funnel and strainer into the top of your quart jar and strain out the lavender buds.
- Cover with alcohol and shake well.
- Serve and enjoy!
Storing Suggestions
Since both vodka and sugar act as a preservative, this liqueur is shelf-stable. I prefer to keep it in a cool, dark cupboard and try to consume it within 6-12 months.
Since I normally drink this liqueur when chilled, I often keep it in the fridge for easy access and the second bottle in storage.
more lavender love
45+ Ways to use Lavender
Whether you have a bunch of lavender on hand or are looking for more ways to incorporate this edible flower into your life, you’re in the right place!
How to Use Lavender Liqueur
This liqueur tastes great when chilled. I like to serve it over ice with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and soda water for a refreshing summer drink. It’s perfect in this Lavender Lemonade Cocktail, too!
The floral aroma has a calming scent perfect for unwinding after a busy day.
Tips & Variations
- There are many different varieties of lavender. Be sure to choose a variety that is intended for eating, which is usually English lavender. Other varieties have a very strong, soapy flavor.
- If you are concerned about pesticides, be sure to use organic lavender.
- For a fun, summery garnish, sprinkle a few lavender flowers on top of your drink before serving.
- Feel free to infuse a whole vanilla bean in the simple syrup for an extra layer of flavor.
FAQs
Great question. Most liqueurs are 50% alcohol but because the lavender flavor is so strong, I use more syrup than normal. Based on my rough math, I believe that means there’s approximately 25% percent alcohol (12.5% ABV) per quart.
If you prefer a stronger liqueur, you can add up to 2 more cups of alcohol. In that situation, you’d have approximately 50% alcohol per quart for a 25% ABV.
Personally, I like that this liqueur is a little lower alcohol because it makes it easy to sip. Plus, if you add it to a cocktail, you’ll be adding more alcohol anyway!
Absolutely! If you already have lavender syrup on hand, you can combine it with equal parts vodka for an easy lavender liqueur. Unless your lavender syrup has a strong lavender flavor, your final product might be a little mild.
Another option is to make your own lavender syrup by changing the order of this recipe. In a small saucepan, prepare your simple syrup and add the dried lavender buds to the syrup mixture.
After the sugar grains dissolve, let it cool to room temperature to absorb as much flavor as possible.
Strain the cooled syrup into a jar, add the vodka, mix, and bottle.
I often use the slower extraction method as this is how most people make liqueurs and the extra time helps draw out more lavender flavor. Both recipes work well, though!
Yes! You’ll need twice as much fresh lavender as dried, so you’ll want 1/2 cup of fresh lavender. Make sure you’re using culinary-grade lavender, as some varieties are very unpleasant to eat.
Related Recipes
Lavender Liqueur Recipe
Equipment
- 2 quart jars
- 1 Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup dried lavender
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 lemon, zest & juice
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
Instructions
Infusion Method
- Add 1/4 cup of dried lavender buds, lemon zest, and vodka to a mason jar. Seal, shake, and store in a dry, dark place. Shake daily for one month.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine your sugar and water. Stir gradually until the sugar crystals are dissolved. Add the lemon juice and stir. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
- Strain the lavender liqueur into a large pitcher. Add the syrup and optional food coloring, then stir.
- Set up two quart jars with a funnel and fill them with liqueur.
- Seal the jars to use later or use immediately.
Syrup Method
- Place the sugar, 1/2 cup of dried lavender buds, lemon juice and zest, and water in a medium saucepan. Set over medium heat and stir occasionally until the sugar crystals dissolve. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
- Set the funnel and strainer into the top of your quart jar and strain out the lavender buds. Cover with alcohol and shake well. Serve and enjoy!
