Here in Tucson June is our hottest month so I wanted something tall and cool for happy hour. Triple digits are normal for us this time of year and the monsoons don't usually arrive for a few more weeks so it really is that "dry heat" weather Arizona is famous for. But dry heat or not 110+ temperatures are HOT. I had a little of my great cherry syrup concentrate left, just enough for a couple of drinks so I grabbed it, perused my little herb garden and went from there. What I ended up with is a great new sling cocktail that's a perfect summer cooler.
TheTHYME for aLEMON CHERRY SLING
INGREDIENTS:
2 Oz. London Dry Gin
3/4 Oz. Cherry Concentrate
3/4 Oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
1/2 Oz. Lemon Thyme Syrup(Recipe below)
Club Soda
GARNISH: Sprigs of Lemon Thyme and either Maraschino or Bordeaux Cherries
TOOLS: Bar Spoon
GLASS: Collins or Tall/Long
DIRECTIONS:
In a highball or Collins glass:Add the lemon thyme syrup,Pour in the London Dry Gin, the cherry concentrate, fresh lemon juice and stir.Fill glass with ice, top off with club soda and stir again.Garnish and serve.
VOICEOVER VIDEO WITH INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:
RECIPE FOR LEMON THYME SYRUP:To make the Lemon Thyme Simple Syrup, stir 3/4 cup of sugar, about 6 - 4 inch sprigs of lemon thyme, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/2 cup of water together in a small sauce pan then simmer over medium-low for 5 minutes. Cool, then strain.
SOME SUBSTITUTION IDEAS:Nearly any fruit and complementary herb combination. You can also try one with various flavored sodas. I just harvested arils from two lovely pomegranates and next I'll try this recipe with pomegranate syrup, lime juice and some rosemary simple syrup.
Updated 6-2021PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
