WATERMELON LAVENDER MARTINI

There are some ingredients that pretty much ensure I will try a recipe - lavender is very high on that list!! 

I was really excited to make this cocktail for a recent dinner party, unfortunately it didn't live up to expectations. It was unanimously agreed that watermelon should be sliced and eaten and lavender is best saved for another recipe.

WATERMELON LAVENDER MARTINI

1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon culinary lavender buds
4 cups cubed fresh watermelon
4 ounces of vodka
ice cubes

In a small saucepan, bring sugar, lavender and 1/2 cup water to a simmer over medium heat, cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves, 1 minute.
Cool simple syrup to room temperature, strain out and discard buds. In a blender, process melon until smooth. Strain, reserve juice in a large pitcher, discard pulp. Add syrup, alcohol and ice, stir. Strain into 4 glasses.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Self, June 2012
www.self.com/