sips: blueberry thymes collins

There was still a heap of snow on the ground when my sister treated me to this amazingly little drink but it's ideal for summer sipping. The thyme offers an unusual pop of taste that makes this concoction stand out among the rest. Shake up a batch for your next garden get-together or poolside soirée!

Ingredients
1 1/3 cups apple-thyme simple syrup, recipe follows
1 cup gin (recommended: Bombay Sapphire)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
Ice
1/4 cup blueberry jam
Club soda, chilled
Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs

Directions
In a pitcher, combine the syrup, gin and lemon juice. Refrigerate for 2 hours. To serve, add ice and half of the gin mixture to a martini shaker. Add 2 tablespoons of blueberry jam. Shake well and pour into ice-filled Collins glasses. Add a splash of club soda and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Apple-Thyme Simple Syrup
20 (4-inch) long sprigs fresh thyme
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups 100 percent apple juice (recommended: Martinelli's)
Gently crush the thyme sprigs and put them in a small saucepan. Add the sugar and apple juice. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool, about 30 minutes. Strain before using.