This year’s signature Thanksgiving cocktail incorporates two of the flavors from a favored side dish of the feast, the stuffing or dressing. Thyme and turkey are a natural pairing and our stuffing often includes some apple, too, to give the dressing a burst of sweetness in every bite. Putting them into the cocktail was pure genious on the part of Giada De Laurentiis, my favorite TV personality chef.
Coming up with a signature cocktail for a holiday takes time and lots of experimentation. Eric & I started the process back in early October for this Thanksgiving. The first time we planned on trying it, I had forgotten to make the flavored simple syrup ahead of time. In an effort to hasten the process, I decided to muddle some fresh thyme sprigs with some simple syrup, then added the vodka & apple juice to the shaker and called it a drink. But the results were not what we were hoping for; the cocktail had a medicinal after taste to it. Still hoping for a quicker version, the next rendition used muddled thyme leaves only, in the hopes of avoiding the bitterness. Nope, it was still there, albeit to a lesser extent. We decided to go for a third try, following the recipe this time, because the flavor profile really was perfect for the Thanksgiving holiday. And Giada gets the win! Making the thyme simple syrup really is worth the extra time it takes to prepare the perfect signature cocktail for the Thanksgiving feast!
Apple Thyme Simple Syrup
Apple Thyme Martini (adapted from Giada De Laurentiis via foodnetwork.com) Total: 30 minutes, Prep: 15 minutes, Cook time: 5 minutes, Cool Time: 10 minutes, Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
Thyme Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 5 large sprigs fresh thyme
Martini:
- 10 ounces vodka
- 6 ounces apple juice
- 1/4 cup thyme syrup
- 1 large apple, peeled
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
Directions:
To make the Thyme Simple Syrup:
In a saucepan combine the sugar, water, and thyme over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer the syrup until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and cool the syrup. This makes 1 cup of Thyme Simple Syrup. The extra cooled syrup can be saved in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Making the Thyme Simple Syrup is the key to a great cocktail.
For the martini:
Chill the martini glasses. Fill a large capacity martini shaker with ice. Combine the vodka, apple juice, and thyme syrup in the shaker. Shake it until condensation covers the outside of the shaker, about 1 minute. Divide the cocktail between 4 martini glasses.
Use a small melon baller to scoop out small balls of apple. Place 3 balls of apple and 1 sprig of thyme in each glass for garnish. Serve immediately.
Fall flavors are in every course of our Thanksgiving celebration!
Thanksgiving is such a perfect foodie holiday!~Linda
Apple Thyme Martini (adapted from Giada De Laurentiis via foodnetwork.com) Total: 30 minutes, Prep: 15 minutes, Cook time: 5 minutes, Cool Time: 10 minutes, Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
Thyme Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 5 large sprigs fresh thyme
Martini:
- 10 ounces vodka
- 6 ounces apple juice
- 1/4 cup thyme syrup
- 1 large apple, peeled
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
Directions:
To make the Thyme Simple Syrup:
In a saucepan combine the sugar, water, and thyme over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer the syrup until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and cool the syrup. This makes 1 cup of Thyme Simple Syrup. The extra cooled syrup can be saved in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
For the martini:
Chill the martini glasses. Fill a large capacity martini shaker with ice. Combine the vodka, apple juice, and thyme syrup in the shaker. Shake it until condensation covers the outside of the shaker, about 1 minute. Divide the cocktail between 4 martini glasses.
Use a small melon baller to scoop out small balls of apple. Place 3 balls of apple and 1 sprig of thyme in each glass for garnish. Serve immediately.