Lavender Sour Recipe

This Lavender Sour recipe combines gin, fresh lemon juice, egg white, and homemade lavender simple syrup for a smooth, floral cocktail with a bright citrus finish. Featured on Gusto TV’s Bring on the Karbs, this elegant drink from Erica and Josh Karbelnik brings a fragrant, refreshing touch to Sunday dinner, cocktail hour, or any stylish gathering.

The Inspiration

The Lavender Sour is inspired by the timeless structure of a classic sour cocktail: spirit, citrus, sweetener, and a silky finish. In this version, gin provides the botanical backbone, lemon juice brings sharp brightness, egg white creates a velvety foam, and lavender simple syrup adds a delicate floral sweetness. The result is a cocktail that feels both familiar and distinctive, balancing refreshing acidity with soft aromatic notes.

This Lavender Sour recipe is ideal for home bartenders who enjoy classic cocktail technique but want something with a fresh visual and aromatic twist. It looks beautiful in a rocks glass over ice, especially with a simple lavender garnish. It also pairs well with the Sunday dinner mood of the episode, bringing elegance without fuss and flavour without heaviness.

All recipes featured in this episode of Bring on the Karbs were improvised by Josh and Erica Karbelnik, and this recipe is an approximation of what unfolded during the episode. That spirit matters here because cocktails often reward experimentation. A Lavender Sour should feel balanced, but it should also feel personal. The lavender can be soft and subtle, the lemon can be lively and tart, and the gin can bring its own unique botanical profile depending on the bottle used.

Ingredients

• 2 oz (59 ml) gin
• 1/2 oz (15 ml) egg white
• 1/2tsp (2.5 ml) dried lavender
• 1oz (30 ml) leon juice
• 1/2 oz (15 ml) lavender simple syrup
• Ice

For the Lavender Syrup

• 1/4 cup (59 ml) sugar
• 1/4 cup (59 ml) water
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) lavender

Method

Make the Lavender Simple Syrup

• Combine sugar and water in a pot and heat just until the sugar melts. Add lavender and let steep. Strain and store in the fridge until ready to use.

Make the Lavender Sour

• Add gin, egg white, lemon juice, and lavender simple syrup to a shaker and shake. Add ice and gently shake again.
• Pour into a rocks glass over ice and garnish with lavender.

Serving Suggestions

This Lavender Sour is a beautiful cocktail to serve before Sunday dinner, especially when the meal includes roasted chicken, citrus-forward salads, herb-seasoned vegetables, or rich comfort dishes that benefit from a refreshing aperitif. Its bright lemon flavour wakes up the palate, while the floral lavender and botanical gin give the drink an elegant, aromatic quality.

For entertaining, serve this Lavender Sour as a welcome drink at a dinner party, spring gathering, garden-inspired brunch, bridal shower, or relaxed evening with friends. The colour and garnish create an immediate sense of occasion without requiring complicated presentation.

This drink also works well as a transitional cocktail between seasons. In spring and summer, it feels fresh, fragrant, and garden-like. In fall or winter, it can bring brightness to a cozy Sunday dinner menu. Since the lavender simple syrup can be made ahead and kept chilled until ready to use, it is convenient for hosting.

Final Thoughts

This Lavender Sour recipe is a celebration of balance: botanical gin, tart lemon juice, floral lavender syrup, and silky egg white come together in a cocktail that feels elegant, refreshing, and memorable. It follows the classic sour cocktail format but gives it a fragrant twist, making it perfect for anyone who enjoys bright gin cocktails with a soft floral finish. The homemade lavender simple syrup is simple to prepare and adds a distinctive flavour that makes the drink stand out.

Find more recipes from Bring on the Karbs! here!

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