Limoncello-Gin Cocktail with Grilled Thyme

I was in a state today. A tizzy.

It started with a long lunch with two retired colleagues. I am coming off one of the busiest years at work that I can remember and face one even busier ahead of me. Retired colleagues are no fun to be around when one is feeling 100 % done. They are happy. They are relaxed. They don't give a crap about anything.

Then there was the BBQ incident.

Yesterday I bought a new BBQ. I've needed one since the unfortunate pulled pork incident that engulfed my old BBQ in flames. It has never been the same since the conflagation. It was 10 yeas old. I probably use it 150 times a year. It was done.

The new BBQ cost close to $2000. It is beautiful.

I called today and it was ready. Paul and I went to pick it up (they had assembled it for free). We rented the truck, loaded the freaking heavy BBQ on said truck - it had to go on its side since it wouldn't stand upright.

Drove it home. Unloaded it. Lugged it to the back. Had a heart attack.

Then I realized it wasn't a natural gas BBQ but a propane one. I needed a natural gas edition.

Whilst loading the BBQ BACK on the van it almost fell on top of me. It's a gazillion degrees outside. Words were said. It was nasty.

Back to Home Depot we went. There we had to unload this Titanic sized BBQ from the truck and wheel it into the store. They thought they had a natural gas BBQ assembled but the sales rep was busy with another customer.

I left. Waiting really wasn't an option at that point.

They had the grace to not charge me for the van.

Back at home Paul declared that he needed a drink. I agreed.

I whipped up this delicious concuction from the folks at Fine Cooking. I had seen it in a magazine and thought 'I need to try that'. I mean what's not to love - gin . . . limoncello . . . lime juice. It even had charred thyme leaves on the grill. . . . now that intrigued me.

I discovered that one needed to be careful charring the thyme. I neglected one set of leaves and was left wth ashes that smelled suspiciously like something that would have had the neighbours over in a second looking for a puff.

I was far more careful with the next batch. We LOVED this drink - the thyme added a fascinating floral scent to what would already be a delicious cocktail.

You want to give this one a try before summer has flown by!

Limoncello-Gin Cocktail with Grilled Thyme

2 large sprigs fresh thyme; more for garnish
1/2 fl. oz. (1 Tbs.) fresh lime juice
1-1/2 fl. oz. (3 Tbs.) gin, preferably Bluecoat American Dry
1/2 fl. oz. (1 Tbs.) limoncello, preferably Averna Limoni di Sicilia

Prepare a gas or charcoal grill fire for direct cooking over medium-high (500°F) heat. Grill the thyme sprigs until fragrant and lightly charred, about 15 seconds. In a mixing glass or cocktail shaker, gently muddle the grilled thyme with the lime juice. Add the gin and limoncello and fill the shaker with ice. Stir well. Strain into a chilled rocks glass filled with fresh ice, garnish with thyme, and serve.

Comments

[Alisa]

Hi Jerry,

What a week this has been for you. You sure deserved a drink as wonderful as this one :)

I wanted to write you an email, but I couldn't find it so I left you this message here instead. We have chosen this blog post to be on Foodista's Featured Drink Blog of the Day today, Saturday, June 16, 2012. Your blog will be featured on the Foodista homepage for 24 hours. (Roughly at around 8-9AM PST)We wont post any of your recipes on the feature, just a thumbnail-sized photo associated with the link and a snippet of what the post is about. It will be a clickable link so the readers will go directly to you to read more and check out your recipes. Besides posting your blog on the homepage, we will also be posting shout outs on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

We have a badge that we would also like to give to you, one that you can add to your blog sidebar. Just send me an email so I can send you the link to get this badge.

Thanks!

[JDeQ]

Thanks Alisa. I'll be in touch shortly.

[Sandrac]

If it's any comfort, I laughed out loud at your pain (sorry -- but you described it beautifully.) You definitely deserved a few of those cocktails.

[bellini]

Looks like this would be a very popular drink Jerry and more than welcome after the BBQ incident.

[JDeQ]

If Im going to be laughed at Sandra my only request be that it is by someone I like! LOL

It sure was bellini. Once the new BBQ gets operational I see many more of these beverages being mixed up this summer.