Drinks often emerge in my kitchen due to special requests. This month the drink was created for a longtime Lark fan in the celebration of her graduation as a Nurse Practitioner - thus, the drink gets to share her name. Here’s to September being part of summer, blueberries that are still ripening on the vine and herb gardens brimming with thyme - a flavor match made in heaven!
Blueberry Thyme “Sweet Melissa”
Serves 20 (in a 10-ounce rocks glass, filled halfway with ice)
1 cup lemon juice (I like this kind)
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 cup honey
½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 lemon, zested
10 long sprigs of thyme
1 cup Saint Germain Liqueur, optional
5 cups gin, optional
7 cups club soda
Fresh thyme sprigs (optional)
First, make the Blueberry Syrup:
Bring 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup honey, lemon zest and 3 tablespoons fresh thyme to a boil, stirring with a wooden spoon until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and cool for 15 minutes.
When cool, strain thyme, lemon and blueberries through a fine-mesh sieve TWICE.
Store in the refrigerator in a Mason jar or use immediately.
Second, mix all ingredients:
Mix 1 cup lemon juice and 2 cups blueberry syrup.
Add 7 cups of club soda right before serving (add St. Germain and gin, optional.)
Serve over ice and garnish with fresh sprigs of thyme if you live somewhere warmer than I do and that is growing in your garden!
