if the lavender in the secret garden is any indicator, spring has arrived. which tickles me pink because i'm in LOVE with lavender. yes, that may seem dramatic. but it is true. it's a smell that i associate with so many amazing memories in my own life and has such a natural calming effect (which i often need, desperately). 

now that i'm a cook, lavender has found it's way onto my table in many more ways than just vases. i love using it for wet rubs for protein, baked into pretty much anything and in my mind it is the perfect herb for a cocktail. and those colors!!! 

in celebration of spring, and friyay i needed a bright, floral beverage. this combo delivered. and the heavy citrus flavors really mellow out a strong drink.

lavender citrus blossom
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 4 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 2 oz blood orange juice. 2 oz lemon juice. 1 oz st. germain. .5 oz simple syrup. 2 lavender sprigs, both leaves & flowers. 1 large ice cube or cup of ice for serving. 1 cup ice for shaking. tumbler glass to serve. shaker. strainer. 

start by prepping your lavender sprigs.

gently remove all the leaves so just the flower remains at the end. reserve the flowers. 

add the leaves to the shaker full of 1 cup of ice. 

add in the vodka, juices, simple syrup and st. germain.

shake well till the herbs are bruised and everything is well combined.

fill your serving glass with ice. add your lavender flowers to the glass.

strain your cocktail over the ice. 

serve and enjoy.

xo, a

lavender citrus blossom
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 4 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 2 oz blood orange juice. 2 oz lemon juice. 1 oz st. germain. .5 oz simple syrup. 2 lavender sprigs, both leaves & flowers. 1 large ice cube or cup of ice for serving. 1 cup ice for shaking. tumbler glass to serve. shaker. strainer. start by prepping your lavender sprigs. gently remove all the leaves so just the flower remains at the end. reserve the flowers. add the leaves to the shaker full of 1 cup of ice. add in the vodka, juices, simple syrup and st. germain. shake well till the herbs are bruised and everything is well combined. fill your serving glass with ice. add your lavender flowers to the glass. strain your cocktail over the ice. serve and enjoy.

wes is going through some work transitions (i know i've alluded, don't worry details to come soon) so he has been home with me a lot more in the evenings. last night, we were watching the marathon of top chef episodes they were playing leading up to the new episode. about three episodes deep we had the epiphany. we no longer watched cooking shows in awe of what was going on. now we watch as if they are coworkers in our kitchen. instead of wondering how they could possibly come up with these crazy dishes, i'm checking which ingredients they are using, watching their technique, looking for my own tips and tricks anywhere i can find them. 

when the new episode finally came, the challenge was a tequila cocktail and dish paring. right up my alley. i was antsy on the couch thinking about what i would have made. so today, i attacked.

and i'm pretty sure my cocktail would have been a winner! 

passion fruit + lavender margarita
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
active time: 2 minutes
total time: 4 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz tequila blanco. 1 oz lime juice. 1 oz orange liquor. .5 oz simple syrup. 1 sprig lavender. 1 passion fruit. 1 tbs each of salt & chili powder for garnish. shaker. stainer. 1 cup ice. ice for serving. 

start by combining the salt and chili powder together on a plate.

before you fill your serving glass with ice, gently brush the rim with a bit of the lime juice. 

gently brush the edges of the rim into the chili powder and salt mixture till lightly coated. 

fill with ice and set aside. fill your shaker with ice.

scoop out the passion fruit pulp and add it to the ice.

pour in the tequila, liquor, lime juice and simple syrup.

pull some of the flowers off the lavender sprig and add them to the shaker. 

reserve the rest for garnish.

shake your cocktail well till nicely combined and a bit frothy. 

strain over ice. 

garnish with lavender sprig and serve. 

xo, a

passion fruit + lavender margarita
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
active time: 2 minutes
total time: 4 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz tequila blanco. 1 oz lime juice. 1 oz orange liquor. .5 oz simple syrup. 1 sprig lavender. 1 passion fruit. 1 tbs each of salt & chili powder for garnish. shaker. stainer. 1 cup ice. ice for serving.
start by combining the salt and chili powder together on a plate. before you fill your serving glass with ice, gently brush the rim with a bit of the lime juice. gently brush the edges of the rim into the chili powder and salt mixture till lightly coated. fill with ice and set aside. fill your shaker with ice. scoop out the passion fruit pulp and add it to the ice. pour in the tequila, liquor, lime juice and simple syrup. pull some of the flowers off the lavender sprig and add them to the shaker. reserve the rest for garnish. shake your cocktail well till nicely combined and a bit frothy. strain over ice. garnish with lavender sprig and serve.