I have been using lavender in recipes for years. And adding lavender simple syrup to homemade cocktails is one of my favorite ways to enjoy this floral herb.
Now, I’m here to help you make the perfect spritz with lavender and strawberry – without any soapy flavor (a risk you take if you don’t know what you’re doing with lavender, friends).
The fruity, herby, floral combination is light and refreshing, making it the ideal cocktail for spring brunches, bridal showers, Mother’s Day, or a sunshine-soaked patio in the summertime.
Tips for Using Lavender in Recipes
You don’t want to use just any lavender for this recipe (or other lavender recipes).
You must use culinary-grade lavender, whether you’re using dried flowers or decide to try using fresh lavender. Fresh lavender from yards or many floral shops is filled with pesticides and often has a bitter flavor instead of a lovely floral lavender flavor.
I recommend using dried culinary lavender for the best flavor. You can buy large amounts in bulk and use them in all of your favorite lavender-infused beverages and baking recipes.
Culinary Grade Dried Lavender Flowers
These are my favorite culinary-grade dried lavender flowers. A lot goes a long way, so this package lasts forever!
What is a Spritz?
A spritz is an Italian wine-based cocktail that typically has bitter notes from digestive bitters or bitter liqueur. Aperol spritz is probably the most popular spritz around, and it uses Aperol for the bitters.
In addition to bitters, it’s made with prosecco and soda water, served over the rocks for a bubbly, refreshing drink.
Dry vermouth is the bitter component in this strawberry spritz recipe. It’s crisp, citrusy, and slightly floral, making it the perfect pairing with lavender and strawberries.
How to Make a Strawberry Spritz
It’s so easy to make a spritz, and I’ll show you how! I’ll also teach you how to make strawberry lavender syrup with the just-right balance of floral essence.
Prep the Syrup
Making the syrup is the first step because it takes the most time (don’t worry, we’re still only talking about 10 minutes here!). It can also be prepared ahead of time so you can enjoy an afternoon spritz when the mood strikes.
- First, clean, hull, and quarter the strawberries. Be sure to clean them well since they will simmer down into the syrup. See the recipe card below for notes on using frozen strawberries.
- Combine sugar, water, strawberries, and lavender syrup in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer for 8-10 minutes until the color has transferred to the syrup and the berries are pale, stirring occasionally.
- Let rest for 5-15 minutes to allow the lavender flowers to infuse in the syrup. You can let it rest longer for a stronger lavender flavor but do not go more than an hour.
- Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve without pressing the berries down. Don’t get any fruit bits in the syrup or it will begin to ferment when stored.
Assemble Individual Cocktails
This recipe is great for preparing individual cocktails and allowing each person to adjust their beverage to their own preferences.
Start by combining the strawberry simple syrup and vermouth in the bottom of a wine glass. Top with ice, and pour in prosecco.
Seriously, it’s that easy! Individual preferences depend on whether you want it sweeter (add more syrup), less bitter, or boozy (omit the vermouth). If you just want a little flavored prosecco, omit the ice and vermouth (this is my mom’s favorite).
More Strawberry and Lavender Drinks to Try!
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Strawberry Vodka Lemonade
- French 75 with Lavender
- Lavender Lemonade
- Blueberry Lavender Cocktail with Gin
- Strawberry Mint Sangria
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!
Get the Recipe Refreshing Strawberry Lavender Spritz
Ingredients
Strawberry Lavender Syrup
- 8 ounces fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 2 Tablespoons dried culinary grade lavender flowers
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
Cocktail Ingredients
- 3-4 ounces dry vermouth, ½-1 ounce per cocktail
- 4 ounces strawberry lavender simple syrup, recipe above, 1 ounce per cocktail
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- 750 mL Prosecco, 3-4 ounces per cocktail
Instructions
Syrup Recipe
- Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine lavender flowers, sugar, water, and strawberries. Heat over medium-high heat until simmering, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until the berries are soft and pale in color. Remove from heat and strain out the berries through a fine-mesh sieve, being careful to not press the berries through but rather let the syrup strain out on its own. Discard the berry remnants.2 Tablespoons dried culinary grade lavender flowers, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup water, 8 ounces fresh strawberries
- In a wine glass, add ½-1 ounce vermouth, 1 ounce strawberry lavender simple syrup, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Fill the glass with your desired amount of ice and pour in 3-4 ounces of Prosecco. Gently stir as needed. Garnish with strawberries, mint, and a lemon wedge. Enjoy!3-4 ounces dry vermouth, 4 ounces strawberry lavender simple syrup, Freshly squeezed lemon juice, Ice, 750 mL Prosecco
Notes
- Syrup: this recipe makes approximately 2 cups of syrup. Feel free to halve it if needed, or store leftover syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for 7-10 days.
- Frozen Berries: use frozen strawberries in place of fresh; they tend to be less sweet so be sure to taste test and add more sugar if necessary.
