Lavender and Strawberry Fruit Cup from Wolds Way Lavender Farm

A boozy lavender fruit cup made with vermouth, herbs and fresh strawberries! How good is that! This is another gem of a recipe that I discovered on a recipe card from Wolds Way Lavender Farm in North Yorkshire, England – which is just 10 minutes from my parent's cottage. The delicately flavoured drink is the perfect way to unwind after a long, hard day........It is almost better than Pimms, and, as Pimms is my favourite summertime tipple, that is really saying something! Sit back, relax, sip and enjoy!

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 20  lavender flowers (heads)
• 400  ml  fresh orange juice
• 400  ml ginger ale
• 200  ml dry vermouth
• 1  lemon, juice of
•  fresh strawberries (a small punnet, about 150g to 200g)
•  lemon verbena or  lemon balm

Directions

1. Rub the base of a punch bowl with the lavender flowers (crushing them gently to release the oils), before adding the orange juice, ginger ale, vermouth and lemon juice.
2. Add the hulled strawberries, halved or sliced, and then garnish with sprigs of lemon verbena or lemon balm. Chill for 30 minutes before serving in tall glasses with or without ice.
3. (After rubbing the lavender flowers over the base of the bowl, discard them).