This Lavender Lemonade Vodka Cocktail is refreshing and delicious! It is a great drink to enjoy poolside or to bring summer indoors. And since you only need a jar to make it, it couldn’t be easier to have a stunning cocktail at home!
Does anything scream spring and summer more than lemonade? I think not. This lavender lemonade cocktail is so dang good, so easy, and the perfect summer cocktail!
It does have one tinnnnyyy secret ingredient - egg whites! Have you ever been to a snazzy cocktail bar to order a drink and see one of the ingredients is egg whites? Using egg whites in drinks is so trendy, and for good reason!
Egg whites give a cocktail a wonderful froth and creaminess when shaken in the cocktail shaker. They are also incredibly devoid of flavor meaning they will not overwhelm the delicate flavors of a great cocktail. In our cocktail recipe, the egg whites create a velvety texture that helps neutralize some of the bite of the lemon making for an absolutely delicious drink!
This lavender lemonade recipe will seriously be on repeat at our house for summer evenings! It would also be a wonderful cocktail to serve at bridal showers, baby showers (for guests), or any special occasion!
Using egg whites in cocktail recipes dates back to medieval times but in the modern era, it can be off putting because of society's worry of salmonella. While that is a valid concern, the process of shaking egg whites breaks up the proteins to create a new structure, just as whisking egg yolks in hollandaise sauce does.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
All substitution options are a 1:1 substitution unless noted otherwise.
Lavender Paste: Lavender is an essential ingredient that adds light floral notes to the drink. You will need to be careful to measure correctly to avoid too much lavender. Too much will result in a soap-like taste and no one wants that! Buy lavender paste here! Also, you can use lavender flavored vodka instead of normal vodka as a sub for lavender paste.
Substitutions: 1 teaspoon of dried lavender (also known as culinary lavender) or lavender syrup can be used. If using lavender syrup, reduce the amount of honey by half. Some other flavors that could be used would be good but result in a different flavor, vanilla bean pasta, raspberry extract, or rose water.
Lemon Juice: The star of the dish! Lemon juice is the acidity and the base of this cocktail and lemonade. For extra lemon flavor, try squeezing the lemon peel to release the lemon essence!
Substitutions: You can use fresh lemon juice (hand squeezed) or store bought lemon juice. You can also use premade lemonade or find homemade lemonade recipes to use and omit the honey all together.
Egg White: Egg whites give this drink it’s body and velvety texture. The egg expands as it is shaken with the alcohol to create a wonderful froth. A note about using egg whites, they should not be shaken with ice as it will heavily dilute the mixture with additional moisture and will not allow the egg whites to froth. Egg whites can be left out but we highly recommend trying it!
Substitutions: Aquafaba can be used or it can be left out.
Honey: Honey provides the sweetness and goes wonderful with lemon!
Substitutions: Maple syrup or agave can be used.
Vodka: Vodka is a great alcohol for this cocktail because it is so mild and does not overpower the subtlety of lavender.
Substitutions: Gin, rum, or tequila can be used. Alcohol can also be left out for a virgin version. Also, lavender vodka can be used if you want more than just a hint of lavender.
Soda Water, unsweetened: Soda water adds the bubbles. This cocktail is topped with soda water to add volume and fanciness (if that is a word)!
Substitutions: Any unsweetened soda water or sparkling water can be used. Lemon sparkling water would be wonderful! Club soda can be used but we recommend omitting the honey and only using half of the called for quantity of soda water because club soda is so sweet.
How to Make This - Step by Step
Step one: Add egg whites, vodka, lemon juice, honey, and lavender to a jar or cocktail shaker.
Step two: Seal and shake vigorously for 30 seconds for maximum froth.
Step three: Prepare two glasses with ice filled to the top of the glass and pour mixture over ice into these cups.
Step four: Top with soda water to the top of the glass and a fresh lemon slice or lemon wheel! Also try topping with lavender sprigs or lavender buds for a beautiful pop of color. Enjoy!
Watch How to Make This - Step by Step
Quick Facts and Common Questions
Where do I buy lavender paste?
Lavender paste can be found in some grocery stores in the spice aisle or online here.
Can this recipe be made virgin?
Sure can! Just omit the vodka for a wonderful mocktail.
Can I make a large batch?
Yes! If making a large batch, I would leave out the egg whites. Multiple the recipe by 8-12 and add all the other ingredients (except the soda water) to a large pitcher and whisk together. Fill with ice to the top of the pitcher right before guests arrive and top with soda water.
Do I need a cocktail shaker?
Nope! You can use any jar (we love a mason jar!) or container that fully seals to shake the mixture. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!
Why add egg whites to a cocktail?
Egg whites add wonderful texture and no flavor making them perfect for cocktails. When egg white are shaken or whipped the proteins break down and form new connections. This is visualized as froth, similar to whipping egg whites for meringue. When added to a cocktail, they are not whipped enough to be stabilized for baking, but enough to break down the proteins, rearrange the structure, and somewhat emulsify creating a nearly velvety texture.
Is it safe to add egg whites to cocktails?
Yes, mostly. There will always be some level of risk but it is no different than eating egg benedict with hollandaise sauce and you are more likely to be injured in a car accident than from enjoying a cocktail with egg whites. Sometimes folks will say the alcohol or acid kills the bacteria in the egg whites, but this is not totally true. While alcohol and acid can kill bacteria, there is rarely enough concentration or time in a cocktail or in making one to kill bacteria. You could use pasteurized eggs for a slightly lower risk, but they will not froth or whip as well.
What alcohol mixes well with lemonade?
Any? Seriously though, lemon is a wonderful flavor that can be mixed with a cream liquor, whiskey, tequila, vodka, gin, or rum. I would not recommend an alcohol flavored with something you wouldn’t normally enjoy with lemon, like cinnamon or apple. Plain vodka lemonade is always a winner in my book!
What goes well with lemonade and what goes well with lavender?
Lemonade: Lavender (duh!), rose, honey, vanilla, strawberry, raspberry, ginger, thyme, rosemary, matcha, and many others!
Lavender: Lemon, strawberry, blueberry, thyme, honey, sage, pears, orange, and chocolate to name a few
Does lavender syrup go bad?
Yes, if making your own lavender simple syrup or you have bought some, it will last about 6 months. Simple syrup should be clear in color, once it begins to turn cloudy that means bacteria is growing and the syrup should be tossed.
What can I make with fresh lavender?
Fresh lavender can be used to make bouquets, oil, candles, baked goods, dried florals, syrup, lotion, and many other things! To make the popular culinary or dried lavender, lavender flowers are removed and dried. Check out this post for 10 Things to Make With Lavender.
What is lavender syrup good for?
Lavender syrup can be used for drinks or for baked goods in the batter or in a frosting or glaze. Flavored syrups are incredibly versatile! Try this recipe for making your own lavender syrup.
Fun Fact!
Egg whites are often referred to as the binder in baked goods and cooking. Funny enough, egg whites were used as actual binders when Spaniards built churches. The egg whites were commonly part of the mortar, known as argamasa. This mortar was used to bind and protect all the building materials for many historic churches built from 1521 to 1898. Egg whites were used because they made the mortar more durable. See why we use them in baked goods! If they can hold up churches, I think they can hold up a cake. (Source)
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Recipe
Lavender Lemonade Vodka Cocktail
Ingredients
- 3 oz vodka
- 1.5 oz lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon lavender paste
- 1 egg white
- ¾ oz honey
- ½-1 cup soda water to top
Instructions
- Add everything except soda water to a shaker or mason jar and shake vigorously for 15 seconds until frothy.
- Fill two glasses with ice to the rim.
- Pour lemon mixture over ice.
- Top each with soda water to the top of the glass.
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