Sparkling Lemon Thyme Cocktail

Light, herbal, refreshing, sparkling.  Words I use to describe some of my favorite summer drinks.  And this sparkling lemon thyme cocktail has currently placed itself at the top of my list.  Come along as I show you how to make this drink that is sure to be one of your seasonal favorites.

Why Make A Sparkling Lemon Thyme Cocktail?

I’ve always loved the combination of lemon and thyme.  Usually, I’m pairing it with something savory, like poultry, or a goat cheese flatbread, but this time around, I knew I wanted to use these flavors in a cocktail.

I’ve enjoyed experimenting with herbs in my cocktails lately.  While mint is certainly at the top of the list when it comes to versatility in cocktails, such as in my grapefruit mint margarita, I wanted to try an herb that may be a little neglected, at least when it comes to mainstream cocktails.

Rosemary, basil, hibiscus and lavender have all yielded incredible concoctions for me recently, and I promise I will share those with you soon.  But I wanted to start by sharing this sparkling lemon thyme cocktail as my foray into the world of herbal mixology.

Process:

This drink is easy to make, but it did require some advance preparation.  When I first decided I was going to make this, I started by infusing my vodka with the thyme.  To do this, fill a clean jar with vodka.  This time around, I used a local vodka made at J. Carver Distillery, but any unflavored vodka would work perfectly.  Then, place a few clean sprigs of thyme inside, give it a quick shake and set it aside.  I let mine sit for two days, out of the sunlight.  You can let the infusion sit a bit longer if you prefer a stronger thyme flavor, but I would not advise letting it sit longer than one week.

While two days might seem like a long time to wait, there is evidence that delayed gratification will enhance your enjoyment of whatever it is that you’re waiting on, proving the old adage that “good things come to those who wait”.

Once the infusion is ready, grab your shaker and the rest of the ingredients and get ready to mix.

Grab a handful of ice and place in your cocktail shaker.  Add the thyme infused vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker, cover, and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.

Strain the mixture into a coupe glass, or champagne flute.  Add a few dashes of rhubarb bitters and top with prosecco.  I garnished mine with a fresh spring of thyme, but a lemon peel would also work.

Now you’re ready to enjoy this refreshing, sparkling lemon thyme cocktail.  Cheers!

Before you make this Sparkling Lemon Thyme Cocktail, share and follow me on Pinterest and sign up to get great recipes in your inbox.   Maybe you’re after something sweeter.  Check out this delicious Raspberry Colada cocktail of mine.