Lemon Thyme Collins Cocktail for Summer Solstice
Celebrate the Summer Solstice with this Lemon Thyme Collins; it’s a fantastic combination of ingredients sure to be a favorite all summer long!
I think this summer has seen a trend in my schedule that I admit I didn’t expect. I’m not on top of the cocktail making if you can believe that? So busy with so much yard work and well probably overdoing it. After so many weeks of digging and planting I’m having a physical letdown of immense proportions. I mean TIRED!! So I’m offering up some great cocktails from summers past. When I first published this Lemon Thyme Collins cocktail it was to herald the Summer Solstice.
I’ve realized for some time that this drink deserves more than recognition for one day; it’s one of my favorites. Light, refreshing and super cold, it’s the perfect antidote for a hot summer day; whether it’s prior to or after the day of Summer Solstice; the longest day of the year.
When I made this cocktail with the Summer Solstice in mind it seemed most appropriate to use the Reyka Vodka from Iceland that I have in my stash.The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the summer months in places north of the Arctic Circle or south of the Antarctic Circle, when the sun remains visible at the local midnight. Around the Summer Solstice the sun is visible for the full 24 hours given fair weather. The number of days per year with potential midnight sun increases the farther towards either pole one goes.
There are no permanent human settlements south of the Antarctic Circle, so the countries and territories whose populations experience it are limited to those crossed by the Arctic Circle, i.e. Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut), Greenland, Finland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Alaska in the United States and Iceland.
Celebrating the Summer Solstice is cause for celebration in Iceland and there is even a ‘Secret’ Summer Solstice Festival which isn’t’ really all that secret if you’re interested in heading up that way. Report back OK?
As the first vodka to be distilled and bottled in Iceland, the makers of Reyka have created their ideal vodka using the country’s pristine resources. Not only is this barley and wheat vodka clean, but it also comes with an air of prestige attached to it due to the distillers behind it, William Grant & Sons (makers of Glenfiddich, The Balvenie and Hendrick’s Gin) and Master Distiller, Kristman Olafsson.
These masters of spirits have designed the distillation perfectly to fill a need for a purer and more responsible production and, as Olafsson puts it, a “uniquely Icelandic” vodka. It’s impressively priced and I think the perfect mixer for cocktails; it’s one of my favorites.
This cocktail is a take on a Tom Collins but with a twist. Instead of gin I’ve used vodka and added some blood orange liqueur to the mix. A bit of thyme and more lemon seals the deal and the result is a light, crisp and altogether refreshing cocktail that works all summer long, no solstice about it!
PIN ‘Lemon Thyme Collins Cocktail’
Summer Solstice Collins
Ingredients
- 1 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Blood Orange Liqueur
- 1 oz lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 1 sprig thyme
- Club Soda chilled
For Garnish:
- Thyme sprig
- Orange and Lemon Slices
Instructions
- Combine vodka, blood orange liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup and thyme sprig in cocktail shaker, fill with ice. Shake firmly 10-12 times and strain over ice filled glass.
- Top with club soda and garnish with additional thyme sprig.
Notes
Nutrition
This cocktail is definitely being added to my summer list. I would love to know where to purchase those beautiful green glasses, they make the drink look all that much better.
I wish I remember exactly where I got those glasses but I think it might have been Pier One. But no matter I’ve had them for so many years I doubt they’d be available anywhere.
I have so much glassware it’s hard to describe but you know what else? I forgot about those glasses and they are cool so I’m going to have to go find them and make something else…thanks for that!
Good to see this one return! And we happen to have some lemon thyme in our garden. 🙂
Now I want to be in Sweden, sitting outside on the front porch of a wooden house by a lake, sipping one of these and watching the sky.
As long as I’m sitting there with you!
It looks so refreshing and tempting.
This looks fabulous! I love that vodka and the combinations in this!
I love it too; a really crisp taste and a great price to boot!
The perfect antidote for a steamy summer day! Your related posts should read “Thirsty for More” :))
I wish I knew how to customize that for cocktails…or at least had the time to figure it out! Another reason I need a separate cocktail blog!
Oh, this looks like a great summer sipping drink! More lemon (citrus) flavor, less sweet. Perfect! Thanks for sharing…
And you can adjust both of those two if you prefer a different ratio; I loved it but if you like citrus more, try it with a bit less simple syrup; easy to add to than take away from. Enjoy!
Gorgeous Barbara, just gorgeous.Depths of winter here, so feeling slightly envious!
I know that feeling; wasn’t long ago I was the envious one!
Gorgeous, Barb! Yes, those glasses just HAD to find a home at your house. They are really pretty and perfect for your cocktail.
I thought so too Holly; thanks for helping me feed my addiction without added guilt. 🙂
Beautiful!
Thanks Adam!
Would it rush the switching of the poles if I had this drink today on the winter solstice? Mightn’t that hasten things along? 🙂 Sure does look good.
It might but we don’t want that over here…just warming up after this cold winter! Come on over!
Ohh… this cocktail has my name written ALL OVER IT! Lemon, blood orange liqueur…. it’s hitting ALL the right notes for me!
Me too. My test? I drank them both. 🙂
Really like the thyme in this! I’ll be trying that. Happy Summer Solstice to you!
I have a small herb garden in ONE big pot. So glad I included thyme; I never used dried thyme but I sure love it fresh John including in this cocktail!
Now that sounds like a refreshing cocktail! I need to try Reyka vodka. Sounds delicious! Great post and beautiful photos!
Thanks so much Bill and I need to come back and comment on your post with all that wonderful summer food; I saw it middle of the night and I wanted to get up and make fried chicken and creamed corn!