The Lavender Gin Sour Is My Perfect Summer Cocktail

Purple, lavender, gin, and summer in a glass? I’m starting to think this cocktail may have been created specifically for me.

My favorite color is purple. I love gin. And I am apparently very susceptible to cocktails that look like they should be served in a charming garden while someone nearby tends to the hydrangeas.

So when I came across this Lavender Gin Sour from Find Your Cocktail, I had one immediate thought: Was this drink specifically designed for me?

Because the evidence is compelling.

Purple + Gin + Lavender = Obviously Yes

The Lavender Gin Sour combines Empress gin, fresh lemon juice, lavender syrup, and egg white, giving it a gorgeous foamy top that makes a sour feel approximately 73 percent fancier than whatever you were drinking five minutes ago.

And then there’s the color.

Empress gin brings that beautiful purple hue to the glass, while the lavender syrup adds a little floral sweetness to balance the tart lemon. The result is bright, smooth, slightly sweet, and very pretty.

I realize we’re not supposed to judge things solely by appearances.

I’m willing to make an exception for cocktails.

Basically Summer in a Coupe Glass

There’s something about lavender and lemon that just feels like summer. Add gin, and suddenly we have a plan for Saturday night.

Even better, this isn’t one of those cocktails that requires twelve obscure ingredients, specialized equipment, and a degree in mixology. The whole thing takes about five minutes. You shake the gin, lemon, lavender syrup, and egg white without ice first to build the foam, shake it again with ice to chill everything, then strain it into a coupe glass and add a little lavender garnish.

That’s it.

No bartending apprenticeship required.

I Mean, Come On

I’m always going to be a little biased toward a purple cocktail, but this one checks an almost suspicious number of boxes for me.

Gin? Yes.

Lavender? Absolutely.

Pretty enough to serve at a summer get-together but easy enough to make when the “get-together” is just me deciding Tuesday deserves a cocktail? Even better.

The Lavender Gin Sour feels light, floral, tart, and just a tiny bit special without taking itself too seriously.

Which, frankly, is exactly the energy I want from a summer cocktail.

Now I just need a coupe glass, some lavender, and perhaps those hydrangeas.