Magnolia Flower Moscow Mule

In the beginning of spring, magnolia trees are some of the very first to bloom. These large, beautiful flowers are completely edible and taste like fresh ginger! Their flavor profile makes them absolutely perfect for making Magnolia Flower Moscow Mules.

From the very first time I tasted these flowers, I knew they would be perfect in a Moscow Mule. This recipe is a slight spinoff on the classic cocktail, which is traditionally made with vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. In this rendition, we’ll swap out the ginger beer and replace it with a homemade magnolia syrup and some sparkling water. It’s a light and refreshing (and gorgeous!) drink that’s a perfect way to welcome spring.

Harvesting magnolia flowers

Magnolia flower season is a short window, so you need to act fast. The flowers come on early and abruptly with an explosion of color. Within a couple of weeks, all the flowers are gone.

The most common varieties of magnolia trees have large white, cream, or pink flowers with distinct petals shaped similar to a tulip. Once you’ve seen the flowers, they’re hard to miss. The bright blooms can be as large as your hand and give off a lovely scent that’s similar to lilacs. They often appear on the tree before any leaves have sprouted. This creates a pretty distinct look for the magnolia trees, absolutely covered in giant flowers on otherwise bare branches.

Because they’re typically very large trees, sometimes all the flowers are out of reach. However, all you need is a few flowers to make a batch of magnolia syrup to use for this magnolia mule and any other fun drink or dessert recipes you’re planning.

Look for flowers that are young, freshly opened, and free of pests and disease. You should be able to easily snap the flowers off at the base with your fingers.

When you bring your flowers home, be sure to give them a rinse and pat them dry before using them in your recipes.

Making the magnolia syrup

The magnolia flower syrup could not be easier to make! You really only need two to three of these large flowers to make a one-cup batch of syrup.

To make the syrup, add equal parts sugar and water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then add in equal parts cleaned magnolia petals. Adding a few hibiscus petals or a couple dried or frozen raspberries will give your syrup a more vibrant pink color without affecting the flavor. I love to amplify the color in this way, so that the final syrup reflects the rosy look of the beautiful magnolia petals.

Simmer the syrup with the petals for about five minutes, then turn the heat off, cover the pan, and let it infuse for at least fifteen minutes. Strain the magnolia syrup into a clean jar and discard the petals. That’s it, you’re done!

Store your finished syrup in the refrigerator until ready to use. Once it’s completely cool, you can make your drinks with it.

How to make a Magnolia Flower Moscow Mule

I love this classic cocktail because it’s super simple to make and feels very refreshing. To make this version, we’re simply going to replace the ginger beer in lieu of our homemade syrup.

Simply add vodka, fresh lime juice, magnolia syrup, and sparkling water to an ice-filled glass and give it a good stir. Voila, the perfect spring cocktail!

This recipe is for one Magnolia Flower Moscow Mule, but can easily be sized up to serve more people.

Did you make this? Let me know what you think in the comments!