Seth Hammond is manager over at Chef Lisa Dupar’s Pomegranite Bistro in Redmond. Dupar also runs a catering biz, and I was perusing her cocktail menu yesterday when I came across this drink, one of Seth’s inventions: the Sparkling Lavender Lemon Drop. I haven’t made a lavender simple syrup yet, but I can’t wait to try it. This drink just screams summer—perfect for entertaining.

RECIPE: SPARKLING LAVENDER LEMON DROP

To make lavender simple syrup:

1 quart simple syrup
1/4 cup lavender flowers

Combine syrup and flowers in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain and cool.

To make cocktail:

2 oz Citron,
1/2oz triple sec
3/4oz lemon juice
1oz lavender syrup
a splash of Chambord
1 oz lavender Dry soda.

Rim a cocktail glass with super-fine sugar. Combine first five ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into martini glass then float [pour very slowly on top of the mixture] the lavender soda. Garnish with an orange twist.

[For details about creating twists, rimming glasses, making simple syrups, layering, etc, I recommend Kathy Casey’s book Sips & Apps. ]