Read a Book, Sip a Cocktail No. 5

Photo from Goodreads.com

For this month's pairing I was going for the magical and mesmerizing qualities of the book Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen.  I thought it would be perfect for spring.  I wanted to include apple in it because of the enchanted apple tree in the story (and there are also a ton of other flavors, foods, and even wines mentioned in the story, that truth be told I was hungry half the time I was reading the book).  So I combined apple flavored vodka, a lavender infused simple syrup, and good 'ole apple juice.  The result is a sweet martini that is both floral and light.  I was kind of scared about experimenting with lavender because it is a scent that pervades most things (in a good way, but still).  However, it was actually not overpowering at all.  You taste the apple first, then the sweetness, and then the lavender sort of hits you at the end with a slight hint of spring.  I really enjoyed it and I decided to call it The Enchanted Apple.

The Enchanted Apple
1 1/2 oz. Apple vodka
1 oz. Lavender infused simple syrup*
2 oz. Apple juice
How to: In a cocktail shaker mix ice, vodka, simple syrup and apple juice.  Shake for at least 30 seconds.  Serve in a chilled martini glass.  *To make the lavender infused simple syrup, take 1/2 a cup of sugar to 1 cup of water and cook over medium heat (watching it and stirring every so often).  When the sugar has dissolved, take the syrup off the heat and let it cool.  Drop in some dried lavender flowers (about 4-6 tablespoons), and store in a glass jar overnight.  Strain the simple syrup to remove the buds. Make sure you use food grade lavender buds, and not the potpourri kind. Also, you can buy plain simple syrup instead of making your own to save some time. 

I started the lavender infused simple syrup with these buds, 
and my kitchen was smelling so good!

The finished product was very refreshing and enchanting! :)