Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Water (for syrup)
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar (for syrup)
- 2 tablespoons Culinary Lavender Buds (dried)
- 1/2 cup Fresh Blueberries (plus extra for garnish)
- 20-24 Fresh Mint Leaves
- 2 fl oz Fresh Lime Juice (freshly squeezed)
- 4 fl oz White Rum
- 5 fl oz Lavender Simple Syrup (cooled)
- Soda Water (or Club Soda, chilled, approx. 240 ml total)
- Crushed Ice
Instructions:
- Simmer: In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is clear.
- Steep: Remove the pan from the heat immediately. Stir in the dried culinary lavender buds.
- Cool: Allow the mixture to steep for exactly 15 minutes. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into an airtight container and allow to cool completely in the refrigerator before use.
- Muddle the Base (Per Serving): Place the fresh blueberries, mint leaves, fresh lime juice, and the cooled lavender simple syrup directly into a sturdy highball glass.
- Muddle Gently: Use the muddler to gently press the blueberries and mint, just enough to break the blueberry skins and release the essential oils from the mint. Avoid aggressively pulverizing the mint.
- Add Spirit: Pour the white rum (2 fl oz per glass) into the glass.
- Add Ice: Fill the glass nearly to the top with crushed ice.
- Stir and Top: Pour the chilled soda water over the mixture until the glass is full. Use a long-handled spoon to gently stir the ingredients from the bottom up.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a lime wedge, extra blueberries, and an optional sprig of fresh mint or lavender. Serve immediately.