Lilac Gin Fizz Cocktail – A Taste of Spring

Lilac season in the northeastern US begins in mid-May and can last through mid-June in some areas. Last week I showed you how to make a simple and easy Lilac Syrup from these sweet-smelling and gorgeous purple blooms. This Lilac Gin Fizz cocktail is perfect for spring celebrations and would be lovely for a midsummer (solstice) celebration in June.

What is Gin Fizz?

“Fizz” is a family of cocktails that are made with acidic juice like lemon or lime and carbonated water. Gin Fizz is a popular variation of fizz cocktails and is one of my favorite drinks to showcase homemade infused syrups like Lilac Syrup. Gin Fizz is traditionally made in a cocktail shaker by the glass but is easily made in a pitcher with ice and stirred as I do in this recipe.

Lilac Ice

Make a batch of lilac ice cubes by simply adding lilac flowers to your ice tray, filling it with water and freezing them until solid. The lilac ice adds an extra special touch to the glass that will wow your guests.

Lilac Gin Fizz Questions:

How can I make this a mocktail?

To make a non-alcoholic version of the lilac cocktail you can simply omit the gin and add more seltzer/sparkling water.

Does the type of carbonated water I use matter?

You can use any unflavored or flavored carbonated water (seltzer, sparkling water, soda water, etc.) The lilac flavor is very delicate so use unflavored seltzer if you would rather not overpower the lilac flavor. I used grapefruit sparkling water as it is what I always have on hand and it was delicious!

Do I need a cocktail shaker to make Lilac Gin Fizz?

No, I made this is a pitcher and just stirred it over ice to chill it. Save the seltzer to add to the glass.

Can I make this Lilac Gin Fizz recipe in a larger quantity to share with friends?

Yes, This recipe can be scaled up easily. Stir the gin, lilac syrup and lemon juice in a pitcher without ice and refrigerate until chilled. This step can be done ahead of time or the night before. Add the seltzer to each glass as you serve it.

I don’t have lilac syrup, what can I replace it with?

You can use a basic simple syrup or any infused simple syrup to make this Gin Fizz recipe. Here are some other edible flower-infused syrup recipes to try: Wild Violet Syrup, Rose Syrup, Elderflower Syrup, Honeysuckle Syrup.

Are all lilacs edible?

Yes, the flowers of the species Lilac or Syringa spp. (the common species is vulgaris) are edible.

Where do I find lilacs?

Lilacs were originally brought to North America by European immigrants and can now be found growing wild in abandoned lots and old gardens. If you don’t have lilacs growing in your own yard you can forage for them in said abandoned areas or if you see them in a neighbor’s yard it never hurts to ask if you can clip a small bouquet. If you do the latter it is nice to offer payment to the owners. Remember that when you clip off lilacs you are pruning them so only take a few stems from each plant. Be mindful of where you are foraging that the area has not been sprayed with pesticides or is in the path of roadway water runoff.

For more warm-weather cocktails check out these recipes:

Love this recipe?

If you made my Lilac Gin Fizz recipe I would love to hear your feedback! Please leave a star-rating review of the recipe and let me know what you think in a comment below. This small act is a great way to show your support for the food blogs you read and love. Please tag me in your photos on Instagram so I can see your creations. I might miss it if you only tag me the caption because those notifications fall off quickly, but I can always find it if I’m tagged in the photo itself.