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Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita Recipe

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Last Updated on June 8, 2023 by Leah Hall

A delicious combo of frozen dessert and refreshing cocktail all in one in this Gin and Tonic Granita recipe, plus it changes color!

 

Every spring we plant an entire herb garden with one thing in mind, making cocktails! Our little garden has all kinds of aromatic herbs that we use to make syrups and infusions for our cocktails, from fresh mint and sage for cooling cocktails, to lemon verbena and lemongrass for tart tipples!

 

Gin and Tonic Granita

As we reach the dog days of summer, and the garden really gets going, we love to find new ways to use some of the herbs that are at their peak, like our flowering lavender, which found its way into our Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita Cocktail!

 

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Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita Cocktails in martini glasses with lemon slices and lavender flowers. Flowers, blue bottle, jigger and lemon in background

In the summer, we are always looking for new cocktails that are refreshing and can help beat the heat. This year we have been all about frozen cocktails (like our frozen Negroni) as their very nature is a top notch way to cool down! We were kicking around ideas for new cocktails when we hit on the idea of a frozen gin and tonic. A frozen gin and tonic sounded intriguing as the gin and tonic has traditionally been a cocktail used to cool down on a hot day.

Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita Cocktails in martini glasses with lemon slices and lavender leaves. Lemons, blue bottle, jigger and flowers in background

While a frozen gin and tonic sounds like a great idea, the problem with that is that they don’t typically freeze very well (thanks to gin being a pretty good antifreeze thanks to the alcohol) and adding a whole bunch of blended ice just dilutes the drink a whole bunch. There is another way however that you can make a frozen drink and that is to make a granita recipe.

Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita Cocktail in martini glasses top shot. Lemon slices and lavender flowers. Jigger, lemon and flowers.

What is a Granita?

A granita is a semi frozen mixture of sugar, a flavoring and a liquid that is commonly found in Italy and served as a dessert in the summertime. Related to the sorbet (speaking of sorbet, you totally have to check out our Blueberry Mint Sorbet Sparkling Rose Float) but with a chunkier, more crystalline texture owing to the way a granita recipe is made.

Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita Cocktail in martini glass with lemon slice and lavender flowers

Unlike a sorbet where the mixture is blended and then frozen, a granita is made by freezing and then regularly agitating the mixture as it freezes to separate the crystals and “fluff” the ice. The result is a dessert not unlike a shaved ice, but not quite the creaminess of ice cream or the fruity smoothness of a sorbet.

Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita Cocktail in martini glasses with flowers, lemon and jigger. Lemon slices and lavender flowers

What Ingredients are Needed for the Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita Cocktail?

  • Lavender Simple Syrup
    • Lavender
    • Water
    • Sugar
  • Granita
    • Gin
    • Lavender Simple Syrup
    • Lemon Juice
    • Tonic Water
  • Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita Cocktail
    • Lemon Juice
    • Blue Ice
    • Granita

 

For our Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita Cocktail, we decided that we would make a granita using gin, tonic water and lavender simple syrup. The resulting granita was a delicious frozen dessert with the classic flavor of the gin and tonic plus a nice sweet floral burst from the lavender. While the sweet granita recipe was pretty delicious, it was almost too sweet and needed something a little tart to bring it into balance and make it even more refreshing.

Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita Cocktail in martini glasses with lemon slices and lavender flowers. Blue bottle, flowers and lemon with jigger in backgrond

If You Are Looking for More Gin Cocktails, Try These!

 

We decided that we would make a cocktail by adding a splash of fresh squeezed lemon juice into the Lavender Gin and Tonic Granita. Lemon and lavender is a great combination, and when added to the gin and tonic flavors of the granita, it made for a delicious sweet and tart cocktail that was absolutely delicious!

We also added a little of our “Magic Blue Ice” which changes from a beautiful blue to a lavender purple when you add the lemon, which adds a real splash of flair plus looks appropriate for a drink with lavender!

Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita Cocktail in martini glass with lemon slice and lavender flowers. Lemons, jigger and leaves in background

The frozen Lavender Gin and Tonic Granita chilled down the cocktail and made this a great summer sipper! Give our Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic a shot this summer and it might just be your next new favorite cocktail!

 

Cheers!

 

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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

Snap Pea Gin and Tonic CocktailSnap Pea Gin & Tonic Cocktail

 

Blackberry Tangerine Vodka Tonic CocktailBlackberry Tangerine Vodka Tonic

 

Other Boozy Granita Cocktails

Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita Cocktail in martini glasses, blue ice. Jigger, flowers and lemon in background
Yield: 1

Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita Cocktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Freeze Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

A cocktail and frozen dessert all in one, this granita is boozy, and like a gin and tonic. It also has a touch of lemon and lavender flavors.

Ingredients

For the Granita

For the Cocktail

  • 1 1/2 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Sprigs of lavender and lemon slices, optional
  • Magic Blue Ice
  • 1 1/4 cup granita

Instructions

For the Lavender Simple Syrup

Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil.

Take off heat, add lavender and steep for 15 minutes.

Strain and cool.

Can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.

For the Granita

In a baking pan, combine the cooled lavender simple syrup, tonic water, gin and lemon juice.

Place in the freezer for 1 hour.

Every hour for the next four hours, "fluff" up the ice with a fork, then place back in the freezer.

After 4 times of doing this, you should be ready to serve.

For the Cocktail

Place the granita in a glass, top with Magic Blue Ice (optional), and pour the lemon juice over the blue ice (or the granita itself).

Garnish with lavender sprigs and lemon slices.

Cheers!

Notes

We used Hendrick's Gin.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 146Total Fat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18.4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 9mgCarbohydrates: 18.4gFiber: 0.2gSugar: 18.4gProtein: 0.3g

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Juli

Friday 13th of August 2021

Is this recipe really just one serving?

The Noms

Friday 13th of August 2021

No, we got about 6 good glasses full of the granita. But it could go up to 8 if you do a little less per glass. Or 4 if you are wanting a large serving. It's pretty versatile! Cheers!

Iryna

Tuesday 18th of July 2017

What a fancy looking cocktail!

Erin

Sunday 16th of July 2017

That is one cool cocktail!

splashofflavours

Saturday 15th of July 2017

Thank you for sharing the recipe. It looks incredibly good. Have a great weekend.

The 'Noms.

Wednesday 26th of July 2017

Thanks for visiting! Cheers!

Cathy Mini

Wednesday 12th of July 2017

Gorgeous pictures! I am definitely going to have to try out this drink recipe--thanks!!

The 'Noms.

Wednesday 26th of July 2017

Thanks so much! Be sure to let us know what you think! Cheers!

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