Velvet Garden (Makes 2 Cocktails)
Why you’ll love it
A soft, floral gin sour with silky foam and bright citrus. Juniper and lavender notes from Venus Spirits Gin Blend No. 01 play beautifully with homemade rose simple syrup for a cocktail that’s equal parts elegant and cozy. Venus Spirits+1
Prep: 10 mins Cook (syrup): 15 mins Chill: 20–30 mins (syrup cool)
Yield: 2 cocktails
Ingredients
Rose Simple Syrup (makes ~1½ cups)
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⅓ cup dried, food-grade rose petals
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2 cups water
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1 cup granulated sugar
Cocktails (for 2)
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2 oz gin (we love Venus Spirits Gin Blend No. 01) Venus Spirits
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.5 oz fresh lemon juice (½ oz per drink)
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1 to 1½ oz rose simple syrup, to taste (start with 1 oz total; add up to ½ oz more if you prefer sweeter)
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1 egg white (or 2 oz aquafaba for an egg-free option)
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Ice
Garnish: Lemon twist or a single edible rose petal
Instructions
Make the Rose Simple Syrup
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Boil → simmer: Add rose petals, water, and sugar to a small pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10–12 minutes.
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Strain & cool: Remove from heat. Strain through a fine mesh sieve (or cheesecloth) into a jar. Let cool, then chill until cold. Keeps 2 weeks refrigerated.
Shake the Cocktails (Makes 2)
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Dry shake: In a shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, rose syrup, and egg whites (no ice). Shake hard 10–15 seconds to build foam.
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Wet shake: Add ice and shake again until well-chilled.
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Strain & garnish: Double-strain into two chilled coupes. Express a lemon twist over each or float a single rose petal.
Safety Note: If you’re concerned about consuming raw eggs, use pasteurized egg whites or aquafaba.
Tips & Variations
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Balance: For a tarter profile, bump lemon to 1½ oz total (¾ oz per drink).
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Spirit swap: A floral gin works best; citrus-forward profiles (like Venus No. 01) complement the rose. Venus SpiritsDifford’s Guide
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Zero-proof: Replace gin with chilled white tea; keep the rose syrup and lemon.
