It is a safe statement to note that August isn’t a great month for blooming plants. At least that‘s true around here. Aromatic vegetation is going to have to come from an aerosol can or from a bag in the fruit and vegetable aisle of your favorite supermarket, neither of which are decent choices if you enjoy the real thing from real close by.
But any well-stocked bar can provide some seasonal substitutions captured in a bottle of distilled spirits and enough cool air to make you think, at least for a moment, of a March evening. The Lavender Margarita, as developed by Whiskey Blue* in the W Hotel on Poydras Street, has roots in spring, when lavender blooms, but delivers on the hot weather refreshment of a margarita.
What you might want to do is continue the quest and find just the right combination of a few ingredients to bring this drink to life for you. You may not like your margarita with an abundance of sweetness, or you may be renowned as a citrus fanatic. Adjust the sugar, salt or sour levels to suit your taste.
In no case, and this is really important, should you leave the cool comforts of the modern miracle of an air conditioned environment, nor should you stray any appreciable distance from the ice machine. It is August all month long, and you likely won’t have any problem remembering that fact.
Lavender Margarita
2 1/2 ounces Silver Tequila
1/2 ounce Cointreau
1/2 ounce Creme de Violette
1/4 ounce fresh lime juice
1/4 ounce simple syrup
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake. Pour. Serve in a rocks or martini glass.
Garnish with a lime.
This drink can also be created frozen, using a blender and plenty of ice. For frozen, increase amount of lime juice and simple syrup.
Correction: A previous version of this article named Whiskey Blue as the Whiskey Bar. The correct name is Whiskey Blue. We apologize for this error.
