Lemon Thyme French 75

Name: Lemon Thyme French 75
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1 drink; the pitcher below makes 8
Ingredients: 0.5 cup sugar; 0.5 cup water (120 ml); 6 thyme sprigs; 1 oz gin (30 ml); 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice (15 ml); 0.5 oz thyme syrup (15 ml); 3 oz dry sparkling wine, chilled (90 ml); 1 cup gin (240 ml); 0.5 cup lemon juice (120 ml); 0.5 cup thyme syrup (120 ml); 3 cups dry sparkling wine, chilled (720 ml)

The French 75 is one of the most dependable toasts: gin, lemon, sugar and something sparkling. A thyme syrup makes it a little more of an occasion. Serve it in flutes at the table to mark the start of the meal.

1 drink; the pitcher below makes 8Yield

EasyDifficulty

What you'll need

0.5 cup sugar
0.5 cup water (120 ml)
6 thyme sprigs
1 oz gin (30 ml)
0.5 oz fresh lemon juice (15 ml)
0.5 oz thyme syrup (15 ml)
3 oz dry sparkling wine, chilled (90 ml)
1 cup gin (240 ml)
0.5 cup lemon juice (120 ml)
0.5 cup thyme syrup (120 ml)
3 cups dry sparkling wine, chilled (720 ml)

How to make it

Heat the sugar, water and thyme until the sugar dissolves, steep 15 minutes, strain and chill.
Shake the gin, lemon and syrup with ice for 10 seconds and strain into a flute.
Slowly add the sparkling wine and garnish.
Glass: Champagne flute. Garnish: A long lemon twist and a tiny thyme sprig.

Chef's secrets

Pour the sparkling wine down the side of the tilted glass to keep the bubbles.

Use a dry sparkling wine.

Good to know

Make ahead

Mix the gin, lemon and syrup for 8 ahead and chill; add the wine to each flute as you pour.