Shake up a healthy cocktail with this gin & lemon thyme recipe

Who says happy hour can’t be healthy? If anyone knows how to legit drink to your health it’s The Outside Institute founder Laura Silverman. The year-long program she created involves forest bathing, plant walks, hikes, and yes, imbibing. A seasoned forager, Silverman is an expert at knowing which plants and herbs not only taste good with your gin—or whichever booze you prefer—but have true healing benefits.

And for the next four weeks, she’ll be serving up some of her favorite healthy recipes to Well+Good readers. First is a refreshing citrus thyme gin cocktail aptly named the About Thyme.

“The gin’s aromatic notes are underscored by a raw wildflower honey syrup infused with lemon thyme, an herb that has been linked to boost immunity, fight bacteria, and soothe digestion,” Silverman says. The drink is topped off with a fragrant thyme blossom, the perfect aromatherapeutic touch.

Want to make your own lemon thyme cocktail? Keep reading for the recipe.

About Thyme

Ingredients
2 oz. gin1 oz. fresh lemon juice1 handful of lemon thyme1 oz. lemon thyme syrup (directions below)1 thyme blossom for garnish

1. Make the syrup by stirring one-fourth cup hot (but not boiling) water into an equal amount of raw wildflower honey. Crush a handful of lemon thyme and drop it in. Cover and set aside until completely cool, then strain. Extra syrup will last in the refrigerator for several days.

2. Fill a shaker with ice and add the gin, syrup, and lemon juice. Shake until well chilled and pour into a glass. Garnish with the thyme blossom.

While you have healthy drinking on your mind, here’s how to stock a better-for-you bar cart. Or for something you can mix with ingredients already in your fridge, check out this kombucha float recipe—it’s super-easy to make.