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Servings: 4 drinks
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes

Hey friends, ready for a drink that looks cool and tastes amazing?

This Lavender Charcoal Lemonade Punch is bold, refreshing, and totally eye-catching. It’s got the floral sweetness of lavender syrup, fresh lemon juice, a little edge from vodka, and a dramatic dark color thanks to activated charcoal. Club soda makes it fizzy and bright, balancing everything out.

I love making this when I want something simple but impressive. It’s great for parties or anytime you want a drink that’s as fun to look at as it is to sip.

Why I Love This Recipe

This one came from a summer trip where I tried lavender lemonade for the first time—and knew it needed something extra. Here’s why I make this all the time:

The color is bold and beautiful without feeling artificial.
Lavender syrup adds a floral vibe that’s super refreshing.
The activated charcoal gives it a cool detox look but doesn’t change the flavor.
Super easy to make but looks like a craft cocktail.

What You’ll Need

4 oz vodka
3 oz lavender syrup (homemade or store-bought)
2 oz fresh lemon juice (strained)
¼ tsp activated charcoal powder
12 oz chilled club soda
Ice cubes
Optional: lemon slices and fresh lavender for garnish

a small white plate with clear vodka, a small white plate with pale purple lavender syrup, a small white plate with fresh lemon halves and one squeezed, a small white dish of fine activated charcoal powder, and a small white bowl of clear ice cubes

Pro Tips

✔️ Always strain your lemon juice so there’s no pulp.
✔️ Activated charcoal clumps easily—stir it well.
✔️ Add the club soda last to keep the fizz.
✔️ Want it sweeter? Add more lavender syrup.
✔️ Garnish with lavender sprigs for a fresh aroma.

Tools You’ll Need

Cocktail shaker or jar for mixing
Measuring jigger or small cups
Stirring spoon
4 serving glasses
Fine mesh strainer (for lemon juice)

Substitutions & Variations

Vodka: Swap for gin or leave it out for a mocktail.
Lavender syrup: Use honey syrup or simple syrup with lavender extract.
Club soda: Try sparkling water or lemon-lime soda.
Charcoal: Omit if you don’t want the black color.

Make Ahead Tips

You can mix the lavender syrup, lemon juice, vodka, and charcoal up to 1 day ahead. Add the club soda right before serving.

Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)

Lemon juice’s acidity brightens the floral lavender and cuts through the sweetness.
Activated charcoal is neutral in taste but adds a dramatic color.
Club soda lifts the drink, making it feel light and refreshing.

Common Mistakes

❌ Using too much charcoal—it’ll taste gritty.
❌ Forgetting to stir the charcoal into the syrup—it’ll clump.
❌ Adding club soda too early—it’ll go flat before serving.

What to Serve With

Lemon shortbread cookies
Goat cheese crostini
Grilled shrimp skewers
Fresh berry salad

FAQ

Is activated charcoal safe?
Yes, in small amounts. But check with your doctor if you’re on medication.

Can I make this without vodka?
Totally! Just leave it out or add more club soda.

Does it taste like charcoal?
Nope, it just looks dark—the flavor is all lemon and lavender.

🍋 How to Make Lavender Charcoal Lemonade Punch

Step 1: Add Lavender Syrup to Shaker

Pour the lavender syrup into a cocktail shaker or mixing glass.

pale purple lavender syrup being poured from a small white plate into a clear cocktail shaker, syrup pooling at the bottom

Step 2: Add Lemon Juice

Pour in the fresh lemon juice, straining out seeds and pulp, mixing with the syrup.

pale yellow fresh lemon juice being poured from a small white plate into the lavender syrup, light yellow streaks forming as the liquids meet

Step 3: Add the Vodka

Pour the vodka into the shaker with the lemon and lavender mix.

clear vodka being poured from a white plate into the lavender and lemon mixture, creating light ripples in the purple and yellow liquid

Step 4: Stir in the Activated Charcoal

Sprinkle the activated charcoal powder into the mixture and stir thoroughly until the color is evenly dark.

fine activated charcoal powder being sprinkled into the lavender lemonade vodka mixture, the dark powder swirling into the liquid

Step 5: Strain Into Glasses

Strain the dark lavender lemonade mixture evenly into 4 glasses filled with clear ice cubes.

deep dark lavender lemonade punch being strained into clear glasses filled with clear ice cubes, smooth liquid flowing through without clumps

Step 6: Top with Club Soda

Slowly pour chilled club soda into each glass, creating light fizz on top.

clear club soda being poured from a small white plate into the dark charcoal lemonade, creating bubbly layers at the top

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Garnish with lemon slices and lavender sprigs, then serve immediately.

four glasses filled with lavender charcoal lemonade punch, garnished with fresh lemon slices and lavender sprigs, fizzy bubbles on top

Leftovers & Storage

Best fresh. If you need to store it, keep the base mixture (without club soda) chilled for up to 1 day. Add soda just before serving.

Macros (Per Serving – Approximate)

Calories: 160
Protein: 0g
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 13g
Sugar: 11g

Time to Shake Things Up!

Now it’s your turn. Make this Lavender Charcoal Lemonade Punch and let me know what you think! Did you try it with gin instead? Did you go mocktail? Drop your versions in the comments—I’d love to hear!