It is Saturday again, which means yet another farmer’s market inspired cocktail. It seems like a good day for everyone to just step back, maybe take a breather and prepare to reap any whirlwinds you choose to sow during “these unprecedented times”. So crank up your diffusers and pop some essential oils behind your ears as we stand and make the Eau de Lavender. 

If it’s not already obvious, I got some great lavender from our friends at Hilltop Lavender Farm. If you need high quality, locally grown, lavender, look no further; and, of course, you need it to make this drink. It’s been a day, or two, so something relaxing was perfect. I opened the day with their Lavender and Oatmilk Latte and I’ve been feeling pretty chill ever since, a couple of these cocktails didn’t hurt any. Let’s make the drink and philosophize later. 

Grab your tins and pop in 1 1/2 ounces of tequila, I went with Kah Añejo; 3/4 of an ounce of fresh squeezed lime juice and 3/4 of an ounce of lavender infused honey simple syrup. Just make 1:1 honey simple and toss in a handful of those amazing lavender blossoms and let sit for a while, I went overnight. Add 2-3 drops of Crude Bitters “Bitterless Marriage” a lovely blend of lavender oak and hibiscus, 3/4 of an ounce of egg white or aquafaba and toss in some ice to shake. Shake it to something soothing, maybe some Marillion. It’s a bit on the nose, but listen to “Lavender” and use the live “La Gazza Ladra“ version so it will flow seamlessly into “Bitter Suite“. I never realized it before, but in the Lavender video Fish has a certain Black Jack Randall from Outlander feel. Considering Randall’s affinity for lavender oil, I am feeling weirdly uncomfortable with the unexpected synchronicity of it all. I’m gonna pull a Scarlett and “Not think about that right now, I’ll think about that tomorrow,” as we return to making the drink, already in progress. When your tins get good and cold, strain from one to the other and discard the ice before going for the less interesting but rewarding dry shake. Strain into something lovely and garnish with some fresh lavender sprigs. 

Of course, this is wonderful. Light, refreshing, just really good. A nice reset from the events of the last couple of days. 

I’m gonna stick with the theme of the drink and keep it light today. Yeah, I’m concerned, but we are gonna roll with the punches and hope that folks really think about the kind of world they want to live in, the kind of world they want their children and grandchildren to grow up in. I hope we aren’t left to reap the whirlwind, but as Maya Angelou said, “Sometimes, it be like that.” Yeah, that’s actually in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Sure, it is there as an example of how she wouldn’t say something, but itis not like people are about to start getting caught up on facts or context. It’s in the book, so that’s way more citation than folks usually get. Y’all keep chilling, stay safe, stay hydrated and stay sane, my friends.