This pretty cocktail was inspired by beautiful Michigan strawberries and some gorgeous lavender that is currently blooming in my mom’s garden and is a tasty twist on the popular mint julep. The fruity, floral flavor makes it the perfect drink for enjoying with friends on a summer evening.
It is also a lovely way to preserve fresh strawberries while they are in season. If you like, you can make a big jar of this flavored whiskey to enjoy later. It’s lovely for brightening spirits during colder months.
While this drink recipe requires a bit of prep, it is by no means difficult to make and is well worth the wait.
The first step is making the flavored whiskey. It will need to infuse for 1-2 weeks before it is enjoyed.
Strawberry Whiskey
Ingredients:
- Organic strawberries
- Whiskey of your choosing
- Glass jar with a tight fitting lid
To Make:
Remove the stems the strawberries and then cut them into halves or quarters.
Fill the jars about half full with sliced strawberries.
Pour whiskey over the strawberries, covering them. You will want about an inch of whiskey above the strawberries. Don’t fret too much about getting the amounts exactly right, this recipe is very forgiving and pretty fool proof.
Cover the jar with a lid and shake well. Let steep for 1-2 weeks, shaking daily or as often as you remember. Your whiskey is ready when it turns a gorgeous shade of red and the strawberries begin to lose their color. You can taste the infusion at a week and decide if the flavor has developed to your liking. I usually give my fruity whiskeys about 2 weeks to infuse to allow the flavor to really develop.
There’s no need to strain the strawberries out of your whiskey until you’re actually going to use it. I generally leave them in the jar and pour the whiskey off of the top. You can eat the boozy strawberries too, so don’t throw them out! They add a nice touch to sangria or can be enjoyed right out of the jar.
Though you won’t need a lot of strawberries or whisky to make a few cocktails, as I mentioned earlier, you may want to make a big jar of this tasty flavored liquor to have on hand when strawberries are out of season. It will keep indefinitely if stored in a cool, dark place in a well-sealed jar.
The next step in making this cocktail is whipping up a batch of simple syrup. This will take about 15 minutes to make, and then a little extra time to cool (20 minutes or so), so you will want to complete this part beforehand as well.
Lavender Simple Syrup
Ingredients:
1/4 cup of fresh lavender, roughly chopped
1/2 cup of organic sugar
1/4 cup of lime juice
1/4 cup of water
To Make:
Add ingredients to a small saucepan and stir well. Bring to a rapid boil then reduce heat and simmer lightly for about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and let cool. Strain out the lavender pieces and put the liquid into a jar with a lid. Store leftover syrup in the refrigerator. It will keep for about a month.
Strawberry Lavender Julep
Ingredients (for one cocktail):
45ml (1 shot) of strawberry whiskey
15ml of lavender simple syrup
Ice cubes
Fresh lavender sprig, for garnish
Optional: carbonated water
To Make:
Add whiskey and simple syrup to a glass. Stir well. Add ice. If desired, top with a splash of carbonated water. Garnish with a sprig of fresh lavender.
This lovely drink pairs well with good company and warm, summer weather. Cheers!
