Cocktail/Mocktail

Common Ground Spirits Blog Jan 2025

Blood Orange Lavender Lemonade Mocktail

In the middle of January, one of the gloomiest months of the year, we are craving palate-refreshing beverages that give us the courage to carry on. We’ve got a great Blood Orange Lavender Lemonade Mocktail that you can dress up with gin if you need that extra oomph, and a couple of February tastings you won’t want to miss. 

Read on, friends!

Upcoming Tastings

Total Wine and More Sacramento (Arden Way), February 13th 

From 6:30-9:30pm

Alkali Rye (Oakland), February 16th 

From 1-3pm

 Blood Orange Lavender Lemonade Mocktail

What sets this easy-to-make lemonade recipe apart from your typical juiced citrus affair is the oleo saccharum of blood oranges, Meyer lemons, and lavender, which combine to create balanced notes of bitter peel, whole fruit, and floral herbaceousness. It takes a while for the sugar to pull the citrus oils out of the peels, but it’s worth the wait, and you’ll have enough lemonade base here for four mocktails or cocktails. Feel free to batch this up if you’re serving a crowd, or experiment with whatever fresh citrus is available in your region! And if you’re craving something stiffer, never fear, you can toss an ounce of gin in your lemonade for a boozy take on the original.

Ingredients for Oleo Saccharum 

(makes enough for 4 drinks)

2 Meyer lemons, sliced

1 blood orange, sliced

1 tsp lavender buds

½ c sugar

Pinch of salt

⅔ c water

1. Combine the lemon slices, orange slices, lavender, sugar, and salt in a large lidded jar or container. Put the lid on and shake to combine, then set aside and allow to macerate for a minimum of 3 hours or up to 24 hours, shaking it once or twice to distribute the sugar evenly (you will see the oil and juice from the fruit collecting at the bottom of the jar)
2. Pour the water into the jar, replace the lid, and shake well until the sugar is fully dissolved, then strain the mixture into a measuring cup and set aside while you prepare the lemonade.

Ingredients for Lemonade

Serves 1

2 oz lemonade mixture

1 ½ oz Meyer lemon juice (about 2 small lemons)

1oz Common Ground Spirits Gin Recipe 03 (Blood Orange and Tarragon)–optional

Fill a tall glass with crushed ice, add the lemonade mixture and lemon juice and stir to combine. Top with sparkling or still water, and add gin if you wish!