Homemade Lavender Liqueur Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more here.
Add a burst of floral flavors to any drink or cocktail with this easy homemade lavender liqueur recipe! You’ll need some simple ingredients & time!
This post was updated in December 2024 with new photos and to simplify the recipe.
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 or add it to your lemonade on those hot summer days! You can’t go wrong.
If you love lavender recipes too, try making homemade lavender syrup for the most delicious sodas and teas. I love adding this lavender sugar to cookies and it’s great on these lavender muffins!
Why you’ll love this lavender liqueur recipe
- Deliciously floral flavor
- Super simple recipe
- Ideal for special occasions, like bridal showers, Mother’s Day brunches and more
- Can be infused with other botanicals or aromatics for a custom flavor profile
- Makes a lovely handmade gift
Ingredients
- Lavender: I prefer to use dried lavender because it’s easy to find. Choose culinary lavender flowers, like English lavender, to make sure your liqueur doesn’t taste soapy. You can also use fresh lavender sprigs, but you’ll need about twice as much as dried.
- Vodka: You can choose any spirit, but since lavender has such a distinct flavor, I prefer to use neutral vodka.
- Sugar: No need to create a simple syrup. The sugar will dissolve in the vodka. I recommend starting with 1 cup then adding more later for a sweeter flavor.
- Food coloring (optional): This gives this lavender-infused liquor a purple tint to make it obvious what’s inside.
Equipment
To make this lavender liqueur recipe, you’ll need just a few common kitchen supplies:
- 2 quart mason jars
- Fine mesh strainer
- Coffee filter (optional, but can help get any fine particles)
- Narrow funnel (optional)
How to Make Lavender Liqueur
- Combine the lavender, vodka, water, and sugar in a glass quart jar. Seal and shake well.
- Shake daily for 1 week, then store in cool, dry dark place for 3-4 weeks or until the smell of lavender is stronger than the smell of vodka.
- Strain out the lavender buds and store in a clean jar or bottle.
- 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.
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 lime 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.
- 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.
- Make lavender limoncello: Add the lemon zest or lemon peels for 4-5 lemons to add a bold citrus flavor.
- For natural coloring, use butterfly pea flowers for a beautiful purple hue.
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!
If you want to speed up the process, feel free to cook the water, sugar, and lavender buds in a small saucepan until the sugar crystals dissolve. Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool to room temp. Then, strain out the lavender buds and transfer to a clean jar. Add the vodka and shake well.
Related Recipes
I love making homemade liqueurs and infusions! Once you realize how easy they are to make, it’s impossible not make all the different types. Here are some of my favorites:
- Lemon Lavender Cocktail Recipe
- Spiced Apple Liqueur
- Vanilla Pear Liqueur
- Blackberry Infused Vodka
- Cranberry Liqueur Recipe
- Cherry-Infused Bourbon {with Dried Cherries}
Lavender Liqueur Recipe
Equipment
- 2 quart jars
- 1 Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup dried lavender
- 2 cup vodka
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water, or an additional cup of vodka
Instructions
- Combine the lavender, vodka, water, and sugar in a glass quart jar. Seal and shake well.
- Shake daily for 1 week, then store in cool, dry dark place for 3-4 weeks or until the smell of lavender is stronger than the smell of vodka.
- Strain out the lavender buds and store in a clean jar or bottle.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Pin this post for later!
