What to Drink This Weekend: Pear Thyme Sparkle

This recipe was featured in the Seattle Times this week, and is a creation of Kathy Casey, local culinary wizard extraordinaire. It sounds delicious all on its own, but extra tempting alongside a frittata for Sunday brunch. Plus, it seems that pear cocktails are all the rage these days, and it's a great reason to pick up a bottle of Absolut's new pear-flavored vodka.

Pear Thyme Sparkle

1 large sprig fresh thyme

1-1/2 oz. pear vodka

3/4 oz. simple syrup

1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice

Splash chilled soda water, dry sparkling wine, or Champagne

Garnish: fresh pear slice and small sprig of fresh thyme

Bend large thyme sprig and drop into a cocktail shaker. Add vokda, simple syrup, and lemon juice. Fill shaker with ice, cap, and shake vigorously for six seconds. Strain into a large martini glass and top with a splash of soda or sparkling wine. Float pear slice and thyme in drink.

Note: If you don't have simple syrup on hand, simply combine 2 cups sugar with 2 cups water in a saucepan. Boil for one minute. Let cool. Bottle the syrup and store it at room temperature. Use as needed, in this drink and many other concoctions!