20 floral cocktails and treats that will give you a true taste of spring
Cocktails & Coffee:
Shakin’ and splashin’ in a little floral essence into your beverage is a great trick to enhance flavor and complexity. From bubbly lavender kombucha to rose-infused vodka, here are a few flowery pick-me-ups to welcome the spring season in Charlotte.
Haberdish
3106 N. Davidson St.
What to Order: The flower ice spheres. Once you order your beverage of choice, make sure to ask for the bloomy embellishment.
Heirloom
8470 Bellhaven Blvd.
What to Order: Manhattan Flower Shop – Butter Washed Defiant Whiskey, Savory Spice Shop’s Pakistan rose buds, Apothecary bitters and persimmon cordial.
The Imperial
300 N. College St.
What to Order: Ambrosial Garden – Hendricks gin, mint, elderflower liquor, bitters, fresh lemon juice and soda water.
Lenny Boy Brewing
3000 S. Tryon St.
What to Order: Organic Lavender Kombucha. You can find this at the brewery and several stores around Charlotte.
Living Kitchen
2000 South Blvd., Ste. 300
What to Order: Lavender Cappuccino – lavender syrup, espresso and steamed almond milk.
Merchant & Trade
303 S. Church St.
What to Order: Luna de Sangre – Hibiscus infused Mezcal Vida, Milagro Reposado, lavender, agave and Bittermens Scarborough Herbal Bitters.
Reid’s Fine Foods
Multiple Locations
What to Order: Lavender Clementine – Bulleit 95 rye whiskey, lavender honey, muddled clementine’s and cherries with ginger beer.
(Helpful Note: on Thursday’s all cocktails are half-off!)
Sophia’s Lounge
127 N. Tryon St., Ste. D
What to Order: (1) Shakespeare – Rose-infused vodka, egg white, citrus and rose water.(2) Melon’Dramatic – Lavender infused gin, Drambuie, melon syrup, citrus juices and lime zest.
The Summit Room
1531 East Blvd.
What to Order: Lavender Mule – Belvedere, fresh squeezed limes, house-made lavender syrup and ginger beer.
Zeppelin
235 W. Tremont Ave., Ste. 100
What to Order: Fogle Fizz – Gin, yuzu-lemongrass cordial, butterfly pea flower, topo chico sparkling water.
Entrees & Dessert:
Just when you thought petal-filled cocktails couldn’t get any sweeter… have you paired them with flower-power foods? Here are seven establishments that are celebrating spring with floral food fit for a Queen (in the Queen City).
Amelie’s French Bakery
Multiple Locations
What to Order: Lavender Lemon Macaron and Rose Macaron from their new spring menu.
Haberdish
3106 N. Davidson St.
What to Order: Egg Tartine – Toasted wheat bread, beet spread, slow-poached egg, arugula, radish, pickled red onion, sage, honey vinaigrette and edible flowers.
La Piccola Gabbia Pasticceria
Order Online & Select Retailers
What to Order: Lavender Biscotti made with almond, lavender buds and extract.
(Local Note: They source the buds and extract from Savory Spice Shop in South End.)
Sophia’s Lounge
127 N. Tryon St., Ste. D
What to Order: Twisted Chocolate Ganache – carbonated poached kumquats, rose meringues and powdered mint.
Suarez Bakery
4245 Park Rd.
What to Order: Lemon + Lavender Doughnut – Lemon cake doughnut with a lavender glaze, lemon zest and lavender buds.
(Note: this will be available every Saturday during the month of May until they sell out.)
Sunflour Baking Company
Multiple Locations
What to Order: Lavender White Chocolate Mousse Spring Torte. Just look at that color!
The Stanley
Opening Soon, Elizabeth Neighborhood
What to Order: (1) Spring Beets – Beet tube with blue cheese mousse, parsley, arugula, red buds and violas. (2) Sunchoke Soup – Green garlic custard, roots, choke chips, red buds, chick weed and chive.
Wish List:
Because a girl can dream…. right?
Golden Cow Creamery
170 W. Summit Ave.
What I want to Order: The Lavender Ice Cream from last year. Please, oh please, bring it back on the menu for this year. You’ll make my dreams come true.
This story was originally published March 20, 2018 at 12:00 AM with the headline "20 floral cocktails and treats that will give you a true taste of spring."