Honey-Thyme Simple Syrup

At the Kitchen Porch, we often make infused simple syrups for our bartenders. It is really fun to add basil to lemonade, lavender to strawberries and Lemon cinnamon to blueberries. It adds a nice surprise to ordinary drinks. Lemon Verbena and Raspberry is also a nice September drink. Really you can make a syrup out of any fresh herbs/spices and/or fruit.

This syrup is used in the Smokey Bourbon Thyme Sidecar.

Honey-Thyme Syrup*1 cup honey1 cup water8 thyme sprigs1 whole lemon with peel cut into small pieces

Stir together honey and water in a small pot. Add the thyme and lemon and bring to a simmer over medium heat. When the first bubbles appear, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently 5 minutes. Let cool, then strain. Keeps up to 2 months, chilled.

*You can substitute any herb, fruit or spice combination here - For example:  for a Lemon-Ginger Simple Syrup, such as is used in the Lemon-Ginger Infused Bourbon Cocktail, substitute an inch of fresh grated ginger instead of the thyme sprigs).  Your imagination and creativity is all you need!