This recipe for a Lavender Haze Cocktail is refreshing, tart, purple and inspired by Taylor Swift! With floral notes from crème de violette and sharper bites of gin and lemon juice, it’s a versatile, 3-ingredient drink that will be a hit at any spring or summer celebrations.
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Calling all Swifties! Today’s recipe is for the ultimate Taylor-inspired cocktail, the Lavender Haze. It requires just three main ingredients and is ready in minutes. The base is inspired by a traditional Aviation cocktail (more details on that below).
This cocktail is of course most recognizable for its lilac coloring, which contributes to the ethereal light purple tones of this drink.
Ingredient Details
Gin is the base spirit. Something with floral notes, like Hendricks, is a very nice option as this complements the violet liqueur. Dry gins with a strong juniper profile are most commonly used.
Lemon juice is essential as its acidity cuts through the floral notes and keeps them from overpowering the cocktail. This is why we’re using a full ounce of it.
Crème de violette liqueur is the base coloring for this drink. It’s important to note that you only need a small amount (¾ of an ounce) to really pack a punch in this drink. No one wants to feel like they’re drinking potpourri, so feel free to start off with ½ of an ounce to determine your preference.
Substitution Ideas
Créme de violette is what gives this drink most of its flavor and color. However, if you do not have access to this, feel free to use grape juice.
For a nonalcoholic version, use grape juice in place of Créme de violette and use sparkling water in place of vodka.
What does the Lavender Haze Cocktail taste like?
This cocktail tastes light and floral, with a subtle lemon tang. Créme de violette is what lends most of the hazy, floral flavor here (which is why do do not need to use much of it, as it's very potent.
Lavender Haze Cocktail FAQ
The Aviation (Lavender Haze) is a classic cocktail made with gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice. It is served without ice (straight up) in a cocktail glass.
Hugo Ensslin, the head bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York, invented the Aviation in the early 1900s. The first true recipe was featured in his book “1916 Recipes for Mixed Drinks”. This original Aviation blueprint called for 1½ oz. El Bart gin, ¾ oz. lemon juice, 2 dashes maraschino liqueur, and 2 dashes crème de violette.
Crème de violette is a creamy liqueur with violet flower flavoring. It tends to have a base of a neutral spirit, of brandy, or both. Therefore, it has a light, sweet, and fresh taste reminiscent of flowers. Due to these aromatic qualities, you do not need much of it in a recipe to really notice its presence.
As a note, crème de violette is typically bottled between 30 and 40 proof. Depending on where you live, crème de Violette can be purchased online or in a well stocked liquor store. We purchased the Giffard brand.
Other Colorful Spring & Summer Cocktail Recipes
For similar vibes, try one of these recipes next! They're full of refreshing and festive seasonal flavors!
Lavender Haze Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin with floral notes, like Hendricks (a little more than one shot)
- 1 oz lemon juice fresh
- ¾ oz crème de violette
- Lemon rind and cherry to garnish
Instructions
- 1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add gin, lemon juice, and Creme de Violette. Seal the shaker and shake for about 30 seconds, until chilled.
- 2. Strain the cocktail into a martini or coupe glass. Garnish with a cherry and lemon twist.
Denise says
I made this for friends and it was a huge hit!! We listened to Midnights the entire time so it was perfect, haha.
Emily says
Thank you, Denise! I love hearing that.
Sally Anne says
YUM this was the perfect pre-Eras tour drink. My friends loved it, thank you so much!
Emily says
That sounds like fun - thank you for commenting, Sally Anne!
Siobhan says
I am going to make this before the Eras tour - thank you for such an easy Lavender Haze recipe with just three ingredients!
Emily says
Thank you for trying it!!