Last week my girlfriend Morgan visited New York, so we went to grab some delicious cocktails {check out other cocktails on FH} at ABC Kitchen which is a gorgeous restaurant attached to one of my favorite home stores ABC Home in the Flatiron district. We decided to order cocktails, which I am always hesitant todo since 1. I am a loyal Pinot Grigio drinker, and 2. Cocktails often tend to be too sweet for my liking. Morgan recommended we order two to share so we could switch if we weren’t happy, so I began browsing the menu of endless intriguing options {see the full menu here}. Ultimately I chose the Vermont Gold Vodka Thyme Lemonade and I must tell you that much to my surprise the cocktail was amazing!!! The thyme gave it a nice freshness while the lemon juice added just the perfect sweetness. I was thrilled to find a cocktail I was in love with {not to mention, how gorgeous is the Thyme as a Fall garnish?!} so I couldn’t wait to run home so I could attempt to recreate it for an upcoming dinner party. After taste-testing and approving my own version {from the Martha Stewart recipe}, I decided to create a rustic-style presentation for serving. First I took out my West Elm raffia tray and then I placed my wine glasses from Havens Kitchen {similar to these} out to fill up. I laid out extra Thyme for show on a small wooden bowl {similar to this or this}, as well as extra lemons for color. Since I made the cocktail in a classic white pitcher, I tripled the recipe so I would have extra for refills and could keep the pitcher out on display. Wondering when to serve? Bring this cocktail to life by switching up your usual wine and cheese night {since it still goes great with cheese!!}. This will definitely leave your guests pleasantly surprised!

Vodka Thyme Lemonade Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar
• 12 sprigs fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
• 4 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 24 lemons
• 2 cups vodka

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups water with the sugar and thyme; bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat; let cool to room temperature.
2. Pour mixture through a fine sieve into a large glass measuring cup; discard thyme. You should have 2 cups syrup. Cover with plastic; chill.
3. In a large serving pitcher, stir together lemon juice, vodka, and chilled syrup; garnish with thyme. Divide evenly among eight tumblers filled with ice; serve immediately.