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This Lavender Moscow Mule is a light and refreshing take on the classic cocktail. It's made with ginger tea and a delicious lavender simple syrup--seriously a must-try cocktail recipe!
Say hello to one of the "fanciest" cocktails you'll ever make: a lavender Moscow mule. This drink was 100% inspired by my trip to Puerto Rico, specifically from a drink I had at a bar called La Factoria. It was life-changing, and I knew immediately that I wanted to recreate it.
I knew I had to recreate it, so I hope you enjoy this homemade version!
Ingredient notes:
- Ginger tea - Use whatever kind you have in your pantry! And yes, I mean ginger tea bags (hot tea) not iced tea.
- Lavender - You can order culinary lavender online (I'm sure Amazon sells some), or you can find some at your local tea shop.
- Vodka - Moscow mule's are typically made with vodka, but if you want a substitution, you could try gin or tequila.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Brew the tea. This step is fairly simple, but you're going to boil water, then add two ginger tea bags to it and steep them for at least 5 minutes.
Step 2: Make the simple syrup. While the tea is steeping, you can make the simple syrup, which is really what gives this drink its incredible lavender flavor. Add water, sugar and lavender to a saucepan and bring them to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer for 1 minute. Lastly, pour the syrup through a fine mesh strainer, which will remove the lavender buds.
Step 3: Refrigerate. Once the tea is good to go, remove the tea bags and stir in the lemon juice and simple syrup. Transfer the mixture to a large pitcher and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour, or until it's chilled to your liking.
Step 4: Add the alcohol. Each serving should be about 1 cup of the chilled lavender ginger tea, along with 2 oz. of vodka (or alcohol of choice). So, when you're ready for a drink, simply fill a glass with ice and add the tea and vodka and stir to combine.
FAQs and Tips
- Feel free to adjust the amount of lemon juice to your liking
- Wait to add the alcohol in until you're ready to serve these drinks; otherwise, if it sits in the refrigerator for awhile, the alcohol flavor (in this case, vodka flavor) will become overpowering.
Why does this recipe call for ginger tea instead of ginger beer?
Traditionally, Moscow mule's are made with ginger beer. But, when I went to the La Factoria website, it mentions that the drink is made with ginger tea, and since I wanted to recreate the drink as best I could, that's what I decided to use.
With that said, you can use ginger beer. However, I've found that ginger beer has a stronger ginger flavor than ginger tea, so keep that in mind.
Related recipes
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Lavender Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- 4 cups filtered water
- 2 ginger tea bags
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 8 oz. vodka or alcohol of choice
for the simple syrup:
- ½ cup filtered water
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoon culinary lavender
Instructions
- Bring the 4 cups of filtered water to a boil. Then, transfer water to a large bowl (or keep it in the saucepan but remove it from the heat), and place the ginger tea bags into the water, letting it steep for at least 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the lavender simple syrup: add water, sugar and lavender to a small saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, and pour syrup through a fine mesh strainer.
- Remove the ginger tea bags, then stir in the lemon juice. Transfer tea to a large pitcher, then pour in the simple syrup. Give everything a good stir, then place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, allowing it to cool down.
- Before serving: Add ice to a cup, along with 1 cup of the chilled lavender ginger tea and 2 oz. of vodka, and stir until combined.
Notes
Nutrition
UPDATE NOTE: This post was originally published in October 2015. It was updated with new text and photos in July 2020.
Frank Kinard says
I live in Puerto Rico and I go to La FactorÃa a lot. That cocktail is one of my favorites there. A friend gave me some dried lavender as a gift, so I go online to look for a recipe to make one at home and I come across this site referencing the drink from the bar. How cool is that! Small world Jaja
Erin says
It's such a cool bar! Let me know if you try the drink.
Gaby says
As someone from Puerto Rico it makes me so happy to read about your time here. La FactorÃa is DEFINITELY an awesome place and their Lavender Mule is by far one of the most spectacular drinks I’ve ever tried. Thank you for sharing the recipe!! I’ll be trying this at home.
Amy says
Is the lavender you use fresh or dried? My garden is exploding with fresh lavender flowers right now!!
Erin says
I used dried lavender... I've never worked with fresh lavender so I can't say for sure whether or not it'd work.
Megan says
1.Thanks for posting this drink. I was thrilled to find the recipe after having these in PR on vacation! 2. I use fresh from my garden. I just use twice as much with fresh lavender. You can also dry the lavender and use it as the recipe calls for. I actually make a few jars of the lavender simple syrup since I have had friends who like to drink these all year round (also excellent for lemonade).
Erin says
Yesssss -- I'm glad you're a lavender cocktail fan as much as I am! I bet it's extra delicious with fresh lavender.
Sarah says
I know this post is over a year old but I had to tell you that my girlfriends and I went to Puerto Rico last month and had the Lavender Moscow Mule at La Factoria which is why I decided to google a recipe! So glad to have found your site and this recipe!
Erin says
This is SO delayed (remaking a similar recipe now) and I just realized that I also went to La Factoria and that's where I got the inspiration for this recipe. Small world! They have the best cocktails there.
Sara says
This looks awesome. Never thought of using lavendar in a Mule...very curious to see how it blends with the ginger beer. Thanks for recreating this...its on our "to do" list for the weekend. 🙂
Cassie @ Almost Getting it Together says
Why aren't you here to make one of these for me? I was at Sur La Table last night buying a marble slab and saw copper mugs but was like "no one to make Moscow Mules with...". You are such the cocktail mistress, I love it.
Megan | Olive & Idlewood says
Oh boy, this sounds absolutely fantastic. I'm a huge fan of Moscow Mules, so this remix is definitely on my to-drink list. And I love your photos on this post! That light streaming in? Gorgeous!
Erin@WellPlated says
I adore moscow mules! What a refreshing twist! (PS. Been there with the fan!)
Jess @hellotofit says
Mmm I bet this is so refreshing!!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
I have never tried a moscow mule! I don't know what's wrong with me. Your lavender version sounds incredible and I have a feeling it would be the perfect place to start! It's funny, I wouldn't expect PR to serve something like this but I like it, A LOT.
p.s. Your photos are gorgeous, lady! Totally worth the hand damage in the fan, lol!
Erin says
Thanks Sarah! I have a pretty good feeling you'd like it... And yeah I don't know what took me so long to try one either! Makes no sense.
Dani @ Dani California Cooks says
Wow! This looks so fresh and delicious. I love herbal twists in cocktails.
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
This drink is "almost" too pretty to eat. The color is gorgeous and I love the lavender flavor. I definitely can't wait to try this. Pinned!
Erin says
Thanks Ashley 🙂
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
Amazing! I would make this just for it's beauty.
Erin says
Thanks Megan!
Christina says
This is GORGEOUS. I just tried a Moscow Mule the other day and was not a fan, I think the bartender went to cray with the ginger beer (not a ginger girl) - but I think adding the lavender would change my mind. My go-to drink is a vodka tonic with lime!
Erin says
Oh no! Yeah if you don't like ginger the moscow mule's probably aren't your drink ahah vodka tonic is ALWAYS a safe/good choice.
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food says
Yum! I just tried a Moscow mule for the first time a few months ago too. I rarely order cocktails, so I'm not in the know of what the "trendy" drinks are.