Name: Lavender Old Fashioned
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ oz lavender simple syrup* (15 ml); 3-4 dashes bitters (optional); 2 oz whiskey or bourbon (60 ml); Lemon peel (optional, but recommended); Large ice cube; Lavender sprig, for garnish

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An old fashioned cocktail is a classic for good reason! This simple cocktail is made with just 2-3 ingredients, and you can make it your own with infused simple syrups. My recipe for a lavender old fashioned uses lavender simple syrup, rye whiskey or bourbon, and a few dashes of bitters for a quick and delightful drink on the rocks.

For a more complex flavor, you can use honey lavender syrup in this floral whiskey cocktail, then garnish with a lemon peel. Traditionally, old fashioned drinks are served with a orange peel, but I recommend using a lemon peel here to better pair with the lavender.

A single rocks glass with a lavender old fashioned on a counter. — Clean and sophisticated, this floral old fashioned cocktail comes together quickly in one glass and just a few ingredients!

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Ingredients for Lavender Old Fashioned

Old fashioned cocktails are made with just 2-3 ingredients and little fuss in a rocks glass.

Whiskey. A rye whiskey like Bulleit is traditional, but bourbon (or even scotch, if you want to go a little untraditional) will also work.
Lavender simple syrup. I use my recipe for rich lavender simple syrup, as it doesn’t dilute the drink quite as much. You could also use honey lavender syrup.
Bitters. Bitters add a little extra complexity, so I recommend using some if you have a bottle on hand.
Citrus peel (optional, but recommended). A little oil from citrus peel brightens up an old fashioned nicely. Lemon pairs best with lavender, but you may use orange if you want to keep with tradition.

A decanter of whiskey and a bottle of lavender syrup on a counter. — Whiskey and lavender simple syrup make up the bulk of this easy lavender cocktail (my bitters didn’t make it into the shot, sorry!).

Quick Tips for Lavender Old Fashioned Cocktails

I usually have a lot to say in this section (especially for macarons), but this cocktail is so simple that I’ve just compiled a few bullet points. You can watch me make this lavender old fashioned below:

Old fashioned cocktails are traditionally made with whiskey, but you can also use bourbon. Either alcohol will work for this drink!
Add the lavender syrup, bitters, and whiskey to the glass first, then add the citrus peel and ice cube. Making the drink in this order results in a better mixed cocktail!
Large ice cubes are preferred, as they take longer to melt.
Garnish with a lemon peel rather than the traditional orange peel to better pair with the lavender.
For a more complex flavor, substitute an equal amount of honey lavender syrup for the lavender simple syrup.

A bar spoon stirs a lavender old fashioned cocktail in a rocks glass. — It’s much easier to get a better mixed cocktail by stirring the ingredients together first, then adding your ice cube.

A hand rubs lemon peel on the rim of a rocks glass. — It’s much easier to get a better mixed cocktail by stirring the ingredients together first, then adding your ice cube.

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

This is the first of five recipes for my lavender drink week in April 2024! I’m sharing more lavender cocktail recipes spanning vodka, gin, and rum, so you’re sure to find something that’s up your alley.

I use ginger beer and whiskey to make a whiskey gingersnap during the holidays.

If you’re not big on alcohol or are abstaining for a time, take a look at my color-changing lavender lemonade. The anthocyanin in the lavender changes color based on the pH level and turns the lemonade bright pink!

Dish Cleanup: Piece of Cake

I rate my recipe cleanups on a scale of 1 to 5. 1 is only a handful of dishes, and 5 is everything including the kitchen sink.

This lavender old fashioned recipe has a cleanup rating of a 1. There’s just one glass, one spoon, a jigger, and a peeler! You may also end up with ice tongs if you’re making a few of these at once.

Dishes for lavender old fashioned cocktail. — One of my favorite things about this cocktail is how easy the cleanup is! No shaker and no strainer—just your glass, a jigger, a spoon, and a peeler!

Old Fashioned with Lavender Syrup Recipe

Thanks so much for stopping by!
If you make this lavender old fashioned cocktail and love it, please don’t forget to rate the recipe five stars.

Yield: 1 drink