OBOD – Raspberry – Thyme Smash
The Raspberry – Thyme Smash is a perfect drink for hot summer days. So, since the thyme on the balcony grows exuberantly and it is raspberry season, I decided to give two gins a go in it. On the one hand, the B My Gin was the obvious choice since it always reminds me of thyme and on the other I went for the Quarantini Dry Gin. Let us see how both drinks turned out.
There is no big story behind the Raspberry – Thyme Smash. It was created in the 2000s at the BLT Market in New York, then featured in bon appétit. Yet, the Smash as a drink category has a long tradition, with maybe the best known example being the Whisky Smash. While, I am a great fan of the Mojito, I always went for the Mint Julep instead of the Smash and cannot really tell you why. Nevertheless, the flavour combination of thyme and raspberries with gin is just a perfect refresher for hotter days.
Classic or exotic?
Well, the B My Gin with its herbal note was the gin which came to mind when I thought about mixing the Raspberry – Thyme Smash. However, I also wanted to give the Quarantini Dry Gin another go. With its pronounced papaya flavour, I thought the gin would add interesting layers of flavour to the cocktail. Another thing I like to do with this cocktail is to add a bit of raspberry syrup to emphasize the berry notes.
3 cl Lime Juice
1,5 cl Simple Syrup
0,75 cl Raspberry Syrup
2 Sprigs Thyme
Shake – double strain – Double Old-Fashioned glass over ice cubes;
Garnish: Thyme sprig – Raspberries;
Both Raspberry – Thyme Smashes were delicious. However, the one with the B My Gin had the flavour profile you would expect from the drink. You get some thyme, raspberry and of course juniper notes in the sip. Yet, the flavour of the Quarantini Gin stood out more. The papaya notes did overwhelm the other flavours a bit. In the end, it is up to you if you prefer a classic taste or a more modern flavour.
