#2 Lemon-Thyme Vodka Lemonade

Source: Town and Country Magazine; created by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten

Lemonade is the quintessential beverage of warm weather – I can’t remember a single summer without sipping on the citrusy goodness of lemonade at least once a day (and most likely more). Giving that childhood memory an adult-twist with this cocktail is a refreshing, citrusy treat.

3 lemon wedges
Sugar
1/4 cup Lemon-Thyme syrup (recipe follows)
1/4 cup citrus vodka
1/4 cup club soda
1 sprig fresh thyme

Run lemon wedge over the rim of a highball glass and set wedge aside; dip the rim into sugar. In a cocktail shaker, place the other two lemon wedges, syrup and vodka. Muddle hard. Cover and shake. Fill rimmed glass with ice. Pour syrup mixture into glass (lemon wedges and all). Squeeze reserved lemon wedge over glass and drop in. Garnish with thyme and serve.

Lemon-Thyme syrup

Makes 1 cup

3/4 cup sugar
1 small bunch fresh thyme

In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup water and the sugar to boiling, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the thyme, remove from heat and let stand until cool. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.