Travel to the misty enchanted Isle of Avalon where the Lady of the Lake cocktail awaits you – infused with the florals and botanicals gathered from shores of the magical isle.
A Journey Through Arthurian Legend
From the golden halls of Camelot, where courtly grace and chivalry reign, to the mist-veiled shores of Avalon, where magic lingers in the trees — this is a feast told in two parts.
We begin where stories often do: with kings and queens, knights and the noble heart of the realm. We will sample the delicate beauty of Guinevere’s table, the strength of Lancelot’s knightly fare, the warmth of Igraine’s hearth, and the legacy of King Arthur himself.
Then we journey onward — into the wild and the mystical. To Merlin the wanderer, Morgan le Fay, the Lady of the Lake… and finally to Avalon, the isle of healing and immortality.
Let this be your invitation — to dine in Camelot, and awaken in Avalon.
A Feast in Avalon: Vivianne, the Lady of the Lake
Mother of Lancelot and the keeper of ancient wisdom and magic, Vivianne, the Lady of the Lake plays a key role in Arthur’s rise to the throne. A powerful enchantress, she is the guardian of the mystical isle of Avalon. Shrouded in mist, the mysterious Avalon is a realm of magic and healing where the great sword excalibur was forged.
The lake surrounding the isle of Avalon is no ordinary water but rather a veil between the worlds, an enchanted barrier between the mortal realm and the hidden realm of ancient magic. Having travelled from our feast in Camelot with Merlin as our guide, we are first met by the mystical lake and its guardian enchantress as we enter Avalon in search of our next feast.
Infused with floral sweet woodruff and a blend of botanical liqueurs, this enticing elixir will transport you to the misty waters of Avalon.
Ingredients
Sweet woodruff: Finding fresh woodruff might be a bit of a challenge in North America. While it has been transplanted here to some degree, it certainly isn’t very widespread. Nevertheless, you can find dried sweet woodruff easily online – it is often sold as tea.
A note of caution: While sweet woodruff is safe when used in small doses, it does contain anticoagulant properties. Anyone with a bleeding disorder or on blood thinners should avoid using it.
Gin: With its botanical profile, gin is the ideal spirit to pair with a sweet woodruff cocktail. If possible, choose a gin with floral notes – a strong juniper-forward gin might overpower the delicate sweet woodruff flavour.
Green Chartreuse: A French herbal liqueur with a secret recipe, Chartreuse has been made by Carthusian monks since the 18th century. The recipe is a closely guarded secret and there are two versions, green and yellow chartreuse. Green chartreuse is by far the easier to source as well as being significantly cheaper than its yellow counterpart. Chartreuse has a pretty strong herbal profile so a little goes a long way.
Grapefruit bitters: A few dashes of citrusy bitters adds a complex layer of flavours to this cocktail and balances out the sweetness of the syrup.
How to Make the Lady of the Lake Cocktail
Make the syrup
In a saucepan combine the water and sugar. Place over high heat and bring to a simmer. Stir occasionally to completely dissolve the sugar. After that, add the dried sweet woodruff and let simmer for another minute. Then, remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 20-30 minutes.
Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer. The dried sweet woodruff might have small particles that pass through the strainer. If that is the case, then pour the syrup through a coffee filter. This will remove any tiny specks and create a clear syrup.
Let cool before using. The syrup will keep for 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge.
Make the Lady of the Lake Cocktail
In a cocktail shaker add the gin, green chartreuse, sweet woodruff syrup, lemon juice, and grapefruit bitters. Add ice, then cover and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with fresh flowers if desired and enjoy!
