The Old Thyme Sour is a variation on the famous Whiskey Sour, but it certainly requires much more preparation than many other cocktails. In fact, the cinnamon-thyme syrup needed for the cocktail takes time to prepare by itself.

Another reason that this cocktail is different is that there is even a showmanship aspect to it, as some of the ingredients are lit on fire for an extra smoky feel. When you factor in the fact that the texture includes egg white; it’s obvious that this isn’t the kind of cocktail a novice bartender should be making in any form or fashion.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces of whiskey
• 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice
• ½ ounce of St. Germain
• ½ ounce of cinnamon-thyme syrup
• Dash of angostura bitters
• 1 egg white
• ¼ ounce of Green Chartreuse
• 5 sprigs of thyme
• Ice
• For cinnamon-thyme syrup:
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 sprigs of thyme
• 1 cup water
• 1 ½ cups of sugar

Preparation:

1. Put water in pot, then add sugar. Heat while stirring until sugar fully dissolves.
2. Place cinnamon stick and thyme into the pot and let it simmer for about half an hour.
3. Strain, cool, and bottle in a well-sealed container.
4. Place two sprigs of rhyme and Chartreuse into an old-fashioned glass and stir to coat the thyme.
5. Fill a cocktail shaker with two sprigs of thyme, remaining liquors, lemon juice, bitters, egg white, and syrup.
6. Dry shake, then add ice, and shake thoroughly.
7. Light the thyme/Chartreuse glass on fire for a few seconds to add “smoky” component to the drink.
8. Double-strain the contents of the shaker to extinguish the flame.
9. Add lemon zest and fill with fresh ice to refresh the drink all over again and make it presentable.
10. Garnish with thyme and lemon (optional).

Equipment:

• Cocktail shaker
• Old-fashioned glass
• Lighter
• Pot
• Sealable container
• Stirring spoon

When you are tired of having whiskey sours, and love the taste/feel of them, but want something special for a certain occasion, or simply to impress your date with the presentation of a complex cocktail, the Old Thyme Sour is really the way to go. Enjoy!