[Post first published on Patreon]
Life at Basgiath War College doesn’t leave much room for leisure, but at least the threat of imminent death makes every celebration sweeter?
This drink appears a couple of times in the three books we have so far, most memorably for me at a celebration dinner at the end of term. : bright with citrus, laced with something dangerous, and startlingly beautiful as the purple syrup sinks through the pale gold of the lemonade. The butterfly pea tea lends the syrup its deep violet color, which bleeds and swirls when you pour it in (a little like watching shadows move, if you know certain wingleaders). Serve it cold, sip it slowly, and definitely wait to enjoy it until after threshing…
Spiked Lavender Lemonade Recipe
Yield
1 drink (easy to scale)
Ingredients
- 2 oz limoncello
- ¾–1 oz lavender syrup (see below)
- fizzy lemonade, to taste (or about 2 oz.)
- Ice (optional)
Begin assembling in a champagne flute, or other tall glass: Add a few ice cubes and then pour in the limoncello, followed by the fizzy lemonade until you have a scant inch or so of space remaining in the glass. Add the lavender syrup, which should sink to the bottom and turn purple, giving the drink a beautiful appearance.
Don’t attempt walking the parapet after more than one glass!
Lavender Syrup (Small Batch)
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup sugar
- 1–1½ tsp dried culinary lavender buds
- 1 blue butterfly pea teabag, or food coloring (optional)
Place the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and stir gently until the sugar has all dissolved. Add the lavender and teabag, and let sit for at least 10 minutes. Strain and chill until ready to use. The syrup will be a rich blue color, but the acid from the lemonade will turn it purple!