Monday morning, I woke up to the sound of my pet new woodpecker. (indeed the most annoying alarm clock ever) There was no way I was falling back to sleep. My first thought- coffee! I got up and looked out the front window and what did I see- SNOW. WTF it was May 12th. It is simply unacceptable for the grass to be covered with snow mid-May. Deciding the only way to pretend it’s a gorgeous 80-degree day is to make some sort of lemonade drink. My go-to is usually bourbon basil lemonade, but it is time to change things up a bit, and I’m really liking the flavor of thyme these days. Lemon thyme vodka lemonade is sure to be a hit on your patio when the weather hits 80.
Looking ahead to warmer days, I began planning my herb garden with cocktails in mind. Thyme, basil, mint, rosemary, and lavender will be a part of my herb garden. Herbs can brighten the flavor of your favorite drink. Used in cocktails as garnishes, muddled with fresh fruit, or to make infused simple syrups, herbs can brighten the taste of your favorite beverage. Also, an herb garden is a more straightforward and way less maintenance than a vegetable garden. With the time I’m saving not tending to tomatoes or lettuce, I can sit in the backyard drinking focus on experimenting with different combinations of herbs and liquor. I headed over to Bremecs Garden Center in Chesterland. Emma and Chris helped me pick the best plants for my pots. (I really hope I’m not setting out a salad bar for the deer) Chris promised that this was so easy and there was no way I could screw this up.
Yes, I realize it is effortless to pour a glass of lemonade and add a shot or 2 of Vodka, but where is the fun in that. That’s where the thyme comes in. I hope you experiment with simple syrup combinations. The basic recipe is to simmer 1 part water to 1 part sugar, then add your herbs. Let it steep, cool, and strain out the solids. This can be stored in a mason jar in the refrigerator for a few weeks. So there you have it!! Trust me, it’s worth the THYME!! Please let me know if you try to make your own.
Cheers,
Stacy