Name: Lavender Martini
Yield: 1 cocktail
Ingredients: 2½ oz (75 ml) London Dry gin; ½ oz (15 ml) dry vermouth (Dolin or Noilly Prat); ½ oz (15 ml) Lavender Simple Syrup (see Infusions & Syrups section); ½ oz (15 ml) fresh lemon juice; Ice; Fresh lavender sprig or lemon twist, for garnish

Lavender Martini

The martini is a study in restraint — two or three ingredients, nothing to hide behind. This version adds a whisper of lavender through a house-made syrup, turning the classic into something floral and unexpected without losing its elegance. Use a good London Dry gin; the botanicals should still lea

Ingredients

2½ oz (75 ml) London Dry gin
½ oz (15 ml) dry vermouth (Dolin or Noilly Prat)
½ oz (15 ml) Lavender Simple Syrup (see Infusions & Syrups section)
½ oz (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
Ice
Fresh lavender sprig or lemon twist, for garnish

Method

**Chill the glass.** Place a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes, or fill with ice water while you make the drink.
**Combine and shake.** Add gin, vermouth, lavender syrup, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds — the lemon juice needs the aeration.
**Strain.** Double-strain (through both the shaker's strainer and a fine-mesh sieve) into the chilled glass. This catches any ice chips and gives you a crystal-clear drink.
**Garnish** with a lavender sprig laid across the rim, or a long lemon twist spiraling down the inside of the glass.
*Note:** Lavender is potent. If your syrup is strong, start with ¼ oz and taste. You want a hint of floral, not a mouthful of perfume.
*Variations:**
**Classic Dry Martini**: Omit the lavender syrup and lemon juice. Stir gin and vermouth with ice, strain, garnish with an olive or lemon twist.
**Lavender Bee's Knees**: Replace the simple syrup with lavender honey syrup. Increase lemon juice to ¾ oz. Omit vermouth.
*Storage:** Lavender syrup keeps 2 weeks refrigerated.