Botanical Gin Recipe

Time10m
Serves1

Grapefruit, Lemon, Thyme

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Ingredients

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Cocktail

Optional Topper & Garnish

Method

Cocktail

1

Muddle thyme

Place the 6 fresh thyme leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add the simple syrup. Using a muddler or the back of a spoon, gently press the thyme leaves just enough to release the aromatic oils—about 6–8 light presses. Avoid pulverizing the leaves into fine bits.

2

Add liquids and ice

Add 2 oz gin, 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice, and 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice to the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice (about 1 cup) until roughly three-quarters full.

3

Shake

Secure the shaker and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the exterior of the shaker becomes frosty and well-chilled. This both chills and dilutes the cocktail to proper balance.

4

Double-strain into glass

Double-strain the cocktail through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled coupe or a rocks glass filled with fresh ice to remove thyme leaf fragments and any pulp from the citrus.

Topper & Garnish

5

If you prefer a slightly spritzed finish, top the drink with 1 oz club soda gently poured down the side of the glass. Express the grapefruit twist by holding it over the drink and giving a quick squeeze to release the oils, then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the glass. Slap the thyme sprig between your palms to activate its aroma and place it as a garnish.