Blackberry Thyme, Three Ways

My mom and I knew that when we did Sips of the Summer, a blackberry drink would be so beautiful. Just a couple weeks ago, mom was commenting on how delicious blackberries are right now. It didn’t happen on our first try, but we finally came up with our own take on a blackberry simple syrup. We added thyme for a little extra flair, and from there we created three drinks with it, all for different occasions.

We are having so much fun coming up with beautiful drinks this summer, and I hope you’re enjoying it too.

Cheers,

George and Annette

Start with the syrup. Everything else is built on it.

Makes about 2 cups.

• 18 oz blackberries (roughly a large clamshell)

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

• 10-12 sprigs fresh thyme

1. Combine the blackberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then lower it and cook about 10 minutes, mashing the berries with the back of a spoon as they soften.

2. Take the pan off the heat. Slap the thyme sprigs between your palms to wake up the oils, drop them in, cover, and let everything steep for 20 minutes.

3. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing gently to catch all the juice. Cool completely. It keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks.

A quick note on the thyme: slapping the sprigs before they go in is not for show. It releases the oils, and it is the difference between tasting thyme and not. Do it every time, including in the glass.

• 1.5 oz blackberry thyme syrup

• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice

• 3 oz prosecco

• 1 oz sparkling water

• Fresh blackberries and a thyme sprig, to garnish

• Ice

1. Fill a wine glass with ice.

2. Add the syrup and lemon juice. Stir with a bar spoon until the glass frosts.

3. Pour the prosecco slowly down the inside of the glass so it holds its bubbles.

4. Drop in a few blackberries. Slap a thyme sprig and lay it across the top.

• 1.5 oz vodka

• 1.5 oz blackberry thyme syrup

• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice

• 3 thyme sprigs, plus one to garnish

• Fresh blackberries, to garnish

• Ice

1. Add the vodka, syrup, and lemon juice to a shaker.

2. Slap the 3 thyme sprigs and drop them in. Fill with ice.

3. Shake hard for 15 seconds, then double strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. The double strain matters here. It keeps the shredded thyme out of the drink and leaves you with something clean.

4. Drop in a few blackberries. Slap a thyme sprig and lay it across the top.

The one for everyone, no alcohol needed.

• 1.5 oz blackberry thyme syrup

• 1 oz fresh lemon juice (up to 1.25 oz if it reads sweet)

• 4 oz sparkling water

• Fresh blackberries and a thyme sprig, to garnish

• Ice

1. Fill a tall glass with ice.

2. Add the syrup and lemon juice. Stir until the glass frosts.

3. Top with the sparkling water.

4. Drop in a few blackberries. Slap a thyme sprig and lay it across the top.

There are no wine bubbles lifting this one, so taste as you go. If it reads a touch sweet, take the lemon up to 1.25 oz.