SPIRITS

It’s Tequila Thyme

Reposado tequila, cava and fresh thyme come together for a sophisticated tequila experience.

BY SANDI GRIGG

II am typically not a tequila drinker, but this herbinspired cocktail blends tequila and sparkling cava for a thyme-infused alcoholic pop that I love. Rather than using a flavored substitute or artificial thyme flavor, I prepared this drink with home-grown thyme. In my opinion, fresh ingredients are what make a drink a true cocktail. Around the office I am known as the plant lady because I love growing all types of plants, succulents and herbs.

Before my thyme burned up from the summer heat, I selected a few sprigs that inspired me to create this spirit, which finishes similar to a seltzer. This recipe uses reposado tequila, which basically means

“rested” in Spanish. Reposado tequilas rest anywhere from two months to a year before they are bottled. Reposados take on a gold hue from the aged oak or white oak barrels in which they are aged.

I used the Don Julio brand, which I found in my local ABC store.

You can use any brand of tequila you prefer, but make sure to use the reposado. This cocktail also uses cava, which is a sparkling wine from

Spain. It may be white (blanco) or rosé (rosado). Cava goes so well with tequila, and for this cocktail I used the Freixenet Sparkling

Cordon Negro Brut Cava, which I found in my local grocery. Tequila has a reputation for causing trouble, but the elegant flavors in this drink will bring about your sophisticated side.

Admittedly, I am a little fickle where cocktails are concerned. But you’ll see, once you take a sip of this wonderful drink, you will be sold too.

TEQUILA THYME POP

Makes 2 drinks

INGREDIENTS:

3 Tablespoons lime juice 4 sprigs fresh thyme ¼ cup simple syrup 1/2 cup reposado tequila Ice Cava as needed to top off glass 2 sprigs of thyme to garnish

METHOD:

Pour the lime juice into a cocktail shaker and drop in the thyme sprigs. Bruise the thyme using a muddler to release the flavor and aromatics. Add the simple syrup and tequila, then add ice until it almost fills the cocktail shaker. Cover the shaker and shake 15 seconds to mix ingredients. Using a strainer, split the fluid equally into two chilled glasses. Top each glass with cava and garnish with a sprig of thyme.