It's Noon Somewhere....Thyme Grapefruit Sparkler

Spring and summer call for lighter cocktails.  When the weather is warm I just don't want to be drinking something heavy or super strong.  My brother and his boyfriend came down from Philly for Easter and we were planning our Easter lunch at about 3 p.m.  Now in my family you can't have a party without appetizers and you can't have appetizers without cocktails.  I jokingly nicknamed the three guys the Negroni Gang because that is the kind of cocktails they prefer, very strong and not too sweet!  Manhattans, Negronis and Martinis are what they all drink but I knew if we started at one in the afternoon with drinks like that, Easter wouldn't turn out too great!

So my brother and I decided we needed to come up with something light and fruity.  We were doing a lunch, not a brunch so nothing too breakfasty.  After some online research we came up with an idea upon an idea for a grapefruit sparkler with vodka and sparkling wine.  And rosemary simple syrup.


Then we went shopping and couldn't find rosemary anywhere.  It was the day before Easter and literally every store we went to was sold out.  We had some at home but just enough for the lamb we were planning on serving.  But we did have thyme so the rosemary simple syrup became a thyme one.  And it was delicious and perfect!  So you could do rosemary or thyme, whichever you prefer.  Additionally, if you wanted something even lighter you could just use Seltzer Water or Club Soda.

This was the perfect drink for the afternoon and would be great for a Mother's Day Brunch or Lunch. I think it would be great all summer long and I will definitely be adding this one to my regular rotation. As my brother and I said on Easter, since its so light we can have three instead of two!  And we did!

Thyme Grapefruit Sparkler

2 oz vodka
1 oz grapefruit juice
1/2 oz thyme simple syrup
sparkling wine

To make the thyme simple syrup cook 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water with a few thyme springs in the pan until the sugar dissolves.  I usually do this the day before so it has plenty of time to cool in the fridge.  It stays good in the fridge a few weeks.

Mix the vodka, grapefruit juice (you can use an type of grapefruit you like) in a shaker with ice.  Strain into a cocktail glass and top with sparkling wine.

Julie