Brunch Libations
These lavender lime thyme gin slings are such a delightful morning libation, great for any brunch. I made these with lavender infused simple syrup, but plain simple syrup works perfectly well, too, and “lime thyme gin sling” sound just as catchy. Lime and thyme are a great duo, and combined with lavender and botanical gin, you get a fresh, puckering, ever-so-slightly sweet beverage. If you’re looking to brighten a brunch party this spring, (ahem, Easter,) try these lavender lime thyme gin slings!
Lavender infused simple syrup
Okay, I admit lavender syrup is very bougie, but Trader Joe’s had dried lavender this week and I could not resist. Can you use simple syrup? Absolutely. Is the lavender syrup better? Definitely. The herbal lavender and thyme components of the drink lovingly compliment the botanicals in gin. My lavender syrup recipe makes 1.5 cups of syrup, so you’ll definitely have leftover. It goes really well in Earl Grey tea, which also has lavender in it! Or you can use it as a cake soaking syrup. (Ooh, lavender lemon cakes?!) Endless possibilities when it comes to lavender syrup!
Lavender Syrup Recipe
- 1/4 cup dried lavender buds, pulled from thee stem
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized sauce pot. Bring to a simmer, stirring so the sugar dissolves. Once it reaches a simmer, turn off the heat and cover the pot. Let the lavender buds steep in the syrup for an hour. Then strain into a glass container and store in the refrigerator. Can use up to three months.
Lavender Lime Thyme Gin Sling
Ingredients
- Fresh Lime Juice and lime slices for garnish
- Lavender Syrup (or Simple Syrup)
- Gin (Hendrick’s is great)
- Fresh thyme leaves, pulled off the stem
- Hot water
- Lemon-flavored sparkling water
- Ice
These lavender lime thyme gin slings are really great for entertaining because they’re not overly heavy. You can still get a charming buzz without getting wild. And you only need one! I think they also cleanse the palette, which works well if you’ve got a buffet going and want to try everything!
How to make lavender lime thyme gin slings
Drop about 2 tbsp of thyme leaves (slid off the stems) into a cocktail shaker. Pour over the leaves 1/4 cup of boiling water and cover the cocktail shaker. Steep the thyme in the water for five minutes. Meanwhile, juice the limes (about two and a half limes) up to 1/4 cup in a liquid measuring cup. Slice the other half of the remaining lime into thin slices for garnish. Add 1/4 cup of lavender syrup and 4 oz of gin to the lime juice. Pour it all over the thyme and water in the cocktail shaker. Cover and shake, shake, shake! Drop a large (old fashioned) ice cube in three low ball glasses. Pour the drink into each glass, about 3/4 full. Top off with sparkling water. Garnish with lime slice, a sprig of thyme, and a fun straw.
Lavender Lime Thyme Gin Sling
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Fresh thyme leaves stem removed, plus three sprigs for garnish
- 1/4 cup Boiling hot water
- 1/4 cup Lavender syrup Simple syrup works, too
- 1/4 cup Fresh lime juice about 2.5 limes
- 3 slices Fresh lime for garnish
- 4 oz Gin Hendrick's or Bombay
- 3 Old fashioned ice cubes
- 1 can Lemon flavored sparkling water Use sugar-flavored sparkling water such as San Pellegrino
Instructions
- Dump fresh thyme leaves in a cocktail shaker. Pour boiling hot water over them and cover the cocktail shaker. Steep for five minutes.
- Combine fresh lime juice, lavender syrup, and gin in a liquid measuring cup. Pour into thyme water once steeping is done.
- Cover cocktail shaker again and shake, about 20 seconds.
- Drop an old fashioned ice cube into each low ball glass. Strain cocktail shaker contents evently between the glasses, about 3/4 full. Top each glass off with sparkling water. Garnish with lime slice and a sprig of thyme.
