With Labor Day fast approaching, it’s a great time to start planning the drink menu. This is the perfect time to kick back with a small group of family and friends and take a moment to relax. Why not do it in style? I’ve been experimenting with homemade simple syrups after my friend Carolyn showed me just how easy it is. Check out this recipe for my lavender mint simple syrup to make a simply superb French 75. During my time in Rochester NY, I fell in love with a local lilac gin by Black Button Distillery, but this cocktail can be made with any favored infused gin or vodka. I recommend making the simple syrup ahead of time over the weekend or the day before, just to save yourself some time. Any left over syrup can be used for cold or hot tea!
Simple Syrup Ingredients:
1 /2 cup dried organic lavender
2 sprigs of fresh or dried mint
2 cups of distilled water
1.5 cups of raw sugar
3 clean food pouches or a glass jar.
Directions:
- Bring water to a boil. Add measured lavender and mint to a bowl.
- When water boils, cover lavender and mint and cover bowl with a plate or lid.
- Let lavender water steep for at least a hour but no more than 2 hours.
- Strain water into a measuring cup and add water and sugar into a medium pan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to medium low heat and cook for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes.
- Add to food pouches or glass jar with an airtight lid. Store in a cool, dry place or refrigerate.
The drink below serves 1. Just multiply each ingredient for the number of drinks prepared. 🙂 If you are making more than two drinks, I’d recommend buying cold pressed lemon juice or your preferred product to save on the manual labor.
French 75 Ingredients:
1.5 oz infused gin
1 oz cold pressed or fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 oz of simple syrup (double if you like sweeter drinks)
3 oz of champagne
Directions:
- Add gin to a glass, add simple sugar and mix with a spoon
- Add lemon juice and top with champagne
- Optional: zest a lemon for garnish
- Enjoy