summary

Sometimes you want to serve a special drink at a party that can do double-duty to please guests who are drinking alcohol and those who are not. This lovely and fragrant lemonade does the trick. Make a big pitcher of lavender lemonade and set out instructions to help your guests create their own mocktails and cocktails. Have small vases of fresh lavender on hand for garnish.

ingredients

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon fresh or dried lavender leaves
2 cups water
2 cups fresh lemon juice (about 12 lemons)
Vodka of choice
Seltzer water
Ice
Lavender sprigs for garnish

directions

Add the sugar to a bowl and sprinkle the lavender over the top. Use your fingers to massage the lavender into the sugar, breaking up the leaves as you go. Boil 2 cups of water and pour it over the sugar. Stir to combine and allow to sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
Strain and transfer the lavender syrup to a large pitcher. Add the lemon juice and 2 additional cups of cold water to the pitcher. Stir to combine and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
To make a lavender lemonade mocktail: fill a tall glass with ice, pour lavender lemonade over ice and top with seltzer water. Garnish with lavender sprig.
To make a lavender lemonade cocktail: fill a tall glass with ice, pour 2 ounces of vodka over the ice, fill with lavender lemonade and top with seltzer water. Garnish with lavender sprig.