This Frozen Lavender French 75 is a delightful, elevated take on the classic cocktail. Gin, fresh lemon, and lavender simple syrup are blended with ice until velvety and frosty, then finished with a splash of champagne for lively bubbles. The lavender brings a floral, botanical note that pairs beautifully with bright citrus and the botanical character of gin.
Perfect for summer evenings, pre-dinner drinks, or entertaining, this cocktail feels elegant without being fussy. It’s crisp, refreshing, and easy to scale for small gatherings. Follow the steps below to achieve a smooth, frothy slush with the right balance of tart lemon, floral lavender, and gentle alcohol warmth.
I love lavender-flavored drinks in warm months. While honey lavender lemonade is a favorite, this Frozen Lavender French 75 brings the floral theme into a sophisticated, sparkling cocktail. The lavender syrup adds delicate perfume while the blended lemon gives a clean, tart base. Topping the slush with champagne makes each glass effervescent and celebratory.
Grab Everything You Need For This Delicious Cocktail
- Turbinado or demerara sugar: for rimming the glass.
- Large lemon: provides fresh, bright tartness.
- Water: blended with the lemon to create a smooth lemon base.
- Gin: choose a milder, floral-forward gin so lavender and lemon remain prominent.
- Lavender simple syrup: store-bought or homemade—adds floral sweetness.
- Champagne or dry sparkling wine: a bubbly finish is essential to a great French 75.
What’s the Best Gin for a French 75?
Pick a gin you enjoy. Because this cocktail highlights lavender and lemon, a botanical or floral-forward gin works especially well. Gins with pronounced floral notes will complement the lavender without overpowering the lemon. If you prefer a juniper-heavy gin, expect a more classic, assertive profile; for a lighter, more floral result, choose a gentler, aromatic gin.
How to Make Lavender Simple Syrup
Making simple syrup is straightforward. Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan, heat gently until the sugar dissolves, then remove from heat. To make lavender syrup, add dried or fresh culinary lavender to the hot syrup and let it steep until the flavor reaches your preference. The longer it steeps, the stronger the floral flavor; strain the syrup before storing. Keep refrigerated and use within two weeks for best flavor.
Is this a sweet cocktail?
This version leans toward a tart French 75. The lavender simple syrup provides floral sweetness, but the lemon and champagne keep the drink bright. If you prefer sweeter cocktails, increase the lavender syrup to taste; if you want it tarter, reduce the syrup. Adjustments are simple and let you personalize each batch.
Here’s a tip!
When you strain the blended lemon mixture, press it gently through the sieve with a spoon to remove any pulp or membranes. This step ensures an ultra-smooth base for the frozen slush and prevents graininess in the finished cocktail.
Frozen Lavender French 75 Recipe
Blended to a frothy slush, sweetened with lavender simple syrup, and topped with champagne, this cocktail elevates a classic French 75 into a frozen summer favorite.
Prep: 15 mins | Total: 15 mins | Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup turbinado or demerara sugar (for rimming)
- 1 large lemon
- 1 cup water
- 8 oz gin (about 1 cup)
- 1/2 cup lavender simple syrup
- 5 cups ice
- 8–10 oz champagne or dry sparkling wine
Instructions
- Wet the rim of four glasses, dip each in turbinado sugar, and set them aside to dry briefly.
- Combine the lemon (peeled or quartered) and water in a high-powered blender. Blend until completely smooth for a silky lemon base.
- Pour the blended lemon mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing gently with a spoon to extract all liquid while removing pulp and membranes.
- Return the strained lemon liquid to the blender. Add gin, lavender syrup, and the ice.
- Blend on high until thick, frothy, and slushy—adjust texture with more or less ice as desired.
- Divide the slush among the prepared glasses, then top each with a generous splash of champagne to add bubbles and lift the flavors.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge or lavender sprig and serve immediately.
Tips & Notes
- The final flavor depends on the gin you choose—use a milder, floral-forward gin if you want the lavender and lemon to shine.
- Prefer a sweeter drink? Add more lavender syrup a little at a time. For a tarter cocktail, use less syrup.
- Make the lavender simple syrup ahead of time and chill it; this speeds preparation and helps preserve the bright, fresh lemon flavor when blending.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation:
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 71 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 69 g
Use the nutrition values as a guideline; exact numbers will vary with the brands and quantities you use.
Enjoy this Frozen Lavender French 75 chilled and fresh. It’s a lovely cocktail for celebrating warm weather, special occasions, or simply turning an ordinary evening into something a bit more memorable. Cheers!
Photography credit: photos used in this post are by Dalya from It’s Raining Flour.