Cherry Thyme Bourbon Smash
glassware: european crystal rocks glasses (viski)
If you follow me you know I love a good seasonal smash, and I realized I hadn’t done a holiday drink with thyme! Here’s the cherry thyme bourbon smash, with my new found love Lo-Fi Gentian Amaro — the notes of the hibiscus in the amaro play nicely with the tartness of the cherries!
Ingredients:
¾ oz cherry thyme syrup
2-3 reserved cherries
¾ oz lemon juice
¾ oz Lo-Fi Aperitifs Gentian Amaro
1½ oz bourbon
fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
Directions:
Carefully light a few fresh thyme sprigs with a torch or a match and set on a fireproof surface. Flip a chilled rocks glass on top of smoldering thyme and set aside.
In a cocktail shaker, combine cherry thyme syrup, reserved cherries from the syrup, lemon juice, amaro, and bourbon. Add ice and shake vigorously for thirty seconds.
Pour entire contents of cocktail shaker into smoked rocks glass and top with more ice.
Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and three cherries.
CHERRY THYME SYRUP
Ingredients:
½ cup cane sugar
½ cup water
½ cup frozen (or fresh!) cherries
6 thyme sprigs
Directions:
Add sugar, water, cherries, and thyme into a small sauce pot and stir to combine. Bring to medium heat and allow sugar to dissolve. Once the mixture reaches a simmer, remove from heat and let steep for 1 hour. Strain solids from the syrup and store separately (you’ll use these reserved cherries to shake and garnish in your cocktail!). Store both in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.