This month’s Recipe ReDux theme is: “Fresh from the Garden: The season of bountiful produce has arrived. Whether your produce comes from the farmers’ market, a CSA share, or a plot of dirt out back, show how you are using fresh July fruits or veggies. And if you have gardening successes – or failures – please share!”
It seems that every year I try to produce a mini urban windowsill “garden.” In years past, I’ve tried my hand at growing dill (didn’t make it past adolescence) and nasturtium (got one or two flowers), and replanting a basil plant from the grocery store (the leaves grew back teeny tiny and few and far between).
This year, my snap pea plant grew about 4 snap peas before the plant decided it had enough of this New York City heat and died on me last week. My peppermint is barely hanging on right now, and the tarragon is looking a tad limp.
But, somehow the thyme is looking good. So, I will count my blessings and use it while it’s hot! P.S. did you notice that I used whiskey rocks as a stand to let my plants drain?!
This Rye Thyme Cocktail is made using a honey-thyme simple syrup. While sugar is traditionally used in simple syrup, I like the bolder flavor that honey provides. Infusing the honey simple syrup with thyme makes things, well, herbier. In a good way.
Rye whiskey with a touch of water, some lemon juice, and honey-thyme simple syrup. Drink up, cool down, chill out.
And yes, even nutrition lovers need a good drink!
NOTE: Anyone with urban windowsill “gardening” tips, please send tips my way.
Rye Thyme Cocktail ~*Recipe ReDux*~
makes 2 drinks
recipe adapted from Set the Table Blog
2 oz rye whiskey
2 oz cold water
1 oz lemon juice
1 1/2 oz honey-thyme simple syrup (recipe below)
Place a few ice cubes into two glasses (or fill the glasses with crushed ice). Set aside while you prepare the cocktail.
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds or so. Pour into the iced cocktail glasses. Garnish with a sprig of thyme. Enjoy!
Honey-Thyme Simple Syrup
makes 1/2 cup syrup
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup water
6 medium sprigs thyme
Heat the honey, water, and thyme in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Turn the heat off and let the mixture cool.
Once cool, store in a jar in the refrigerator (you can keep the thyme sprig in it if you want, or discard it). Use the syrup in cocktails or drizzle it over fresh fruit.
Figsinmybelly 
That sounds delicious– Will be trying in a few months (9 months pregnant, and missing my cocktails!).
Your windowsill garden looks a lot like mine (actually, mine is gone now because I just couldn’t get anything to thrive). I’ve been living in Kuala Lumpur the last 5 years, and really miss being able to grow things! So much more difficult inside 😦
Congratulations to you! Windowsill gardening is indeed tough. How are the farmers’ markets in Kuala Lumpur?