BLUEBERRY AND THYME COLLINS

Blueberry and Thyme Collins image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Time 2h4m

Yield 4 servings (2 2/3 cups)

Number Of Ingredients 10

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
Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish
20 (4-inch) long sprigs fresh thyme
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups 100 percent apple juice (recommended: Martinelli's)

Steps:

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.
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.