“When I pair lavender with whiskey, I find that the scent of the herb sweetens the bitterness of the traditional cocktail,” says Ruben Hernandez, head bartender at Miss Ada in Brooklyn, New York, where staff often incorporate herbs grown in the restaurant’s backyard into their food and drinks. The Lavender Old Fashioned is boozy yet refreshing, and perfect for summer.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz. Four Roses Yellow Label or other bourbon
- 2 bar spoons lavender simple syrup (see below)
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- Garnish: lemon peel
DIRECTIONS
Stir ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice and garnish with lemon peel.
To make lavender simple syrup:
Combine 2 cups of water water and 1 cup of sugar in a pot over medium heat. As it starts to simmer, add 1 ½ bundles of lavender. Bring to a boil for 7 to 10 minutes. Strain into a glass container and keep refrigerated for two weeks.
