It’s the day before New Year’s Eve, so I thought I’d share one last (and last minute – whoops) drink recipe before the big night. It’s a blackberry thyme French 75. A classic cocktail, but with a twist. Whether you’re looking for a signature NYE cocktail or a way to stretch your bubbly, this is a great option.
What’s a French 75?
The French 75 is a cocktail that consists of gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne. It’s a simple, yet elegant combination that’s easy to customize, which I did here by making a blackberry thyme syrup instead of a simple one.
How do I make the blackberry thyme simple syrup?
If you’ve never made simple syrup before, don’t worry – it’s extremely easy. This one is equal parts blackberries, water and sugar, plus a couple sprigs of fresh thyme. All you need to do is add them all to a small saucepan and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the sugar has completely dissolved and the blackberries have softened and burst. You can help them along by squishing them with a spatula. Then, strain through a fine mesh sieve and transfer to an airtight container.
As for ratios, I used a half cup of blackberries, water and sugar. I knew I wouldn’t be needing too much syrup, so that worked great for me. It yielded about 6 ounces of syrup, which is enough for 6 cocktails. If you need more, feel free to scale up! The syrup should last about 2 weeks in the fridge (or about 3 months in the freezer), so plan accordingly.
Blackberry Thyme French 75
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
Ingredients
Blackberry Thyme Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup Blackberries
- 2 sprigs Thyme
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup Water
Blackberry Thyme French 75
- Ice
- 1 oz Blackberry thyme simple syrup
- 1/2 oz Lemon juice Freshly squeezed
- 1 oz Gin
- 3 oz Brut sparkling wine or champagne
Garnishes (optional)
- 1 Lemon twist
- Blackberries
- Sprig of thyme
Instructions
Blackberry Thyme Simple Syrup
- To make your blackberry thyme simple syrup, add the blackberries, thyme, granulated sugar and water to a small saucepan and cook on medium heat until it reaches a simmer. Then lower the heat to keep it at a simmer rather than letting it get to a boil.
- Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the berries have burst and the sugar has dissolved.
- Remove from heat and allow syrup to cool for a few more minutes before straining through a fine mesh sieve into a glass jar. Store in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Blackberry Thyme French 75
- Add the blackberry thyme syrup, lemon juice, and gin to a cocktail shaker with some ice and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds, or until the surface starts to look frosty. Then strain into a coupe glass.
- Add the champagne or sparkling wine to the glass, then garnish with a lemon twist or perhaps some blackberries on a cocktail pick with a sprig of thyme and enjoy!
And that’s it! A few simple steps to make a strikingly pretty and extremely delicious drink for New Year’s Eve (or a random Tuesday). If you make this, let me know what you think in the comments or on Instagram! And don’t forget to tag me if you share a picture. I always love hearing from you and seeing your creations.
Looking for more gin based cocktails? I’ve got you covered. This blueberry pie gin sour is an absolute dream. Or if you’re looking for a large batch cocktail, try my festive empress punch!
