How To Make A Lavender Vodka Cocktail

Where To Find Lavender Vodka

The Strip District in Pittsburgh is loaded with brunch spots. You can’t walk more than a block without having some tough decisions. Do you stop at Peace, Love & Little Donuts for a quick breakfast dessert? Do you go to Pamela’s Diner for the heavenly Pittsburgh Hash with kielbasa, sauer kraut, and eggs? (My personal favorite) Or, do you walk into Smallman Galley with featuring four more restaurants that can feature any kind of brunch sometimes ranging from Korean to Italian!

Honestly, you really can’t go wrong with any of the food options. But for my brunch fans who love a refreshing cocktail, you absolutely must walk into Pennsylvania Libations. It’s a small store situated only a block away from Pamela’s Diner, and it offers Pennsylvania made craft wine, spirits, ciders, mead, and beer. According to their website, their business “supports and sells the largest portfolio of craft libations in the state of Pennsylvania.” 

Why I Love Pennsylvania Libations

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After brunch on a crowded Sunday afternoon, I stopped in with my mom. She is a gin aficionado. This cute little store has rows of Pennsylvania spirits lining the walls with gins she’d never heard of. Eventually she was stuck between two gins made from a Lancaster Distillery known as Thistle Finch. One was a slight yellow color while the other was crystal clear. Holding the two bottles and looking very confused, we asked for some much needed help.

We learned that the yellow tint comes from the barrel aging of that particular gin, which gave it almost a whiskey finish. How do I know? We got to try it!

He allowed us to continue tasting several spirits until I asked about the Thistle Finch Lavender flavored vodka.

Lavender Vodka Cocktail Recipe

Friends, don’t knock this till you try it. Some people associate lavender with soap or beauty products, but this subtle hint of lavender is perfect for any cocktail. 

The staff member recommended simply pairing it with lemonade, but I’d also suggest my personal recipe below!

• 2 oz Thistle Finch Lavender Flavored Vodka
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1 tsp warm honey
• 1 oz water (still or sparkling)
• 1 pinch of lavender buds (optional)

The next time you host brunch at home, have this as an option and definitely serve it with some lemon ricotta pancakes or blueberry scones!