This wine lover watched a marathon of Bar Rescue on Paramount + and was inspired to make a cocktail. The show stars Jon Taffer, a food and beverage extraordinaire who offers his professional expertise to save failing bars from closing. The description sounds mundane but it is hard to stop watching. The bartenders are trained to make basic foolproof cocktails which got me thinking that even I, a mere expert at pouring wine, could make a cocktail. A Whiskey Sour to be exact.

The ingredients of a Whiskey Sour include ice, whiskey, simple syrup, and lemon juice. A classic. Since fall just started, I thought a seasonal twist on this classic could be fun. Thyme is about as autumn of an herb as it gets in my humble opinion. A beloved Mediterranean herb, thyme imparts an earthy, peppery, savory flavor. With this in mind, I turned toward the tiny thyme shrub growing on my window sill, scissors in hand, and started snipping.

Table of Contents

A LITTLE AGAVE GOES A LONG WAY

I used Organic Blue Agave from Trader Joe’s in lieu of simple syrup because it’s what I had on hand. It was a welcome swap because agave is a natural sweetener. After heating an ounce of it for 30 seconds in the microwave, I added my snipped thyme and stirred it in. Voila! Thyme-infused agave emerged after 30 minutes of sitting, and the thyme sprigs were discarded. Because agave is so sweet, a little goes a long way. I would suggest only using half of what you’ve infused in your shaker to start with, but if you prefer a sweeter Whiskey Sour you can add more.

THYME TO SHAKE THAT WHISKEY SOUR

Once your ice and agave are added to your shaker, it’s time to add fresh lime juice and, last but not least, whiskey (I used Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey). Give it some passionate shakes, pour over ice, garnish with thyme and lime if you would like, and enjoy! Even make a tasty personal-sized pizza to snack on while you drink your cocktail. Cheers!

Ingredients

1 oz agave nectar
1 sprig of thyme more for garnish
2 oz whiskey
1 oz fresh lime juice

How to Make This Agave Whiskey Sour?

Step 1:

Pour one oz of agave into a microwave-safe container and heat for about 30 seconds or until hot. Stir in a sprig of thyme. Cover, and let sit for at least 30 minutes to infuse the agave with thyme flavor. Remove the thyme sprig and discard.

Step 2:

Add ice to your cocktail shaker. Pour in the infused agave (only pour in half an ounce for a less sweet cocktail), add whiskey, and fresh lime juice, and shake to combine.

Step 3:

To serve, pour the mixture into a rock glass filled with ice. Garnish with a fresh thyme sprig and a slice of lime if desired and enjoy!

Tips

Use fresh thyme sprigs and muddle them gently to release their flavor without overpowering the cocktail.
ake the cocktail vigorously with ice to ensure it’s well-chilled and perfectly blended.
Adjust the amount of agave nectar, you can start with less and add more if you prefer a sweeter drink.

Conclusion

This Thyme-Infused Whiskey Sour is a sophisticated cocktail that I love so much. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a drink that’s full of flavors to enjoy.

The infusion of thyme into agave nectar adds a delightful herbal note that complements the rich, smoky flavor of the whiskey. Combined with the tangy freshness of lime juice, this cocktail strikes the perfect balance between sweet and sour.

So go ahead, mix yourself a glass, garnish with a sprig of thyme and a slice of lime, and savor every sip of this delicious cocktail. Cheers!