Thamble
COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:
- 45 ml Thyme Liqueur / Distillate with
Honey and Saffron (Pakruojis Manor Distillery)
- 22,5 ml Fresh Lemon Juice
- 15 ml Simple Syrup
- 10 ml Creme de Cassis
- 5 ml Riga Black Balsam Currant
GARNISH:
- Dehydrated Orange Wheel
- Sprig of Thyme
INSTRUCTIONS:
• Combine all of the ingredients except creme de cassis in a cocktail shaker.
• Add ice and shake until chilled.
• Strain into a cocktail glass over fresh pebble ice.
• Pour creme de cassis and let it settle on the bottom of the glass.
• Garnish with a dehydrated orange wheel and a sprig of thyme.
Bramble is a well-known and beloved cocktail, so making something inspired by it is not an easy task.
This particular invention came about rather unexpectedly. I had a bottle of thyme liqueur / distillate with honey and saffron lying around the house and was wondering what to do with it. Research revealed that thyme and saffron pairs rather well with black currant, so I decided to explore this direction further. Eventually after enough of tries I have settled down on a Bramble inspired recipe.
Base spirit is the previously mentioned thyme honey and saffron distillate, paired with a healthy dose of fresh citrus. In this case lemon juice, blending very well with the notes of honey and saffron. A bit of simple syrup balances out the cocktail and still leaves enough space for the sweetness of black currant liqueur. To add a little extra complexity without additional sweetness, I added a touch of Riga Black Balsam currant with its complex herbal notes for the all-important depth.
I stuck to the idea of sinking crème de cassis to the bottom of the cocktail glass not only for the visual appeal, but the drinking experience it creates. In the beginning you get a comforting mix of honey, lemon thyme and saffron with just a subtle hint of sweet black currant which gets stronger and sweeter with every sip until eventually the roles are reversed and black currant takes the stage.
Thamble is one of the more unique yet simple cocktails I have created. Delicious complexity and ever-changing balance create a memorable drinking experience.