My new summer drink!

Adapted from: Bon Appetit

Rarely do I make something and blog it IMMEDIATELY (I am drinking the pictured as I type), but this is such a delicious, refreshing drink I HAD to! When Kevin and I were in Arizona over Memorial Day weekend, I ordered a "berry thyme" drink from one of the restaurants there and LOVED it. If you've never tried herbs in your drink before, give it a shot! They give it such an interesting and fresh flavor, although you'd never think to add thyme. This Bon Appetit version is almost a perfect match - I used less lime juice and added some club soda for carbonation. My changes are as below. Absolutely addictive!

Raspberry Thyme Smash

2 fresh thyme sprigs, divided
7 fresh raspberries, divided
ice cubes
1/4 cup Hendrick's Gin (or vodka)
2 tablespoons Simple Syrup (see below)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Club soda

Preparation

Remove leaves from 1 thyme sprig; place in cocktail shaker. Add 6 berries; mash with muddler or wooden spoon. Fill cocktail shaker with ice; add gin, Simple Syrup, and lime juice. Cover; shake vigorously until cold. Strain into highball glass filled with ice, and add club soda to taste. Thread 1 raspberry onto remaining thyme sprig; place on rim of glass.

For the simple syrup:

Stir 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to boil; cool. Cover and chill.