We’ve levelled up our game with this take on the classic gin fizz cocktail: it’s fruity, fizzy and fuschia (that’s the colour, by the way), and we’re obsessed with it.

The original gin fizz is very similar to the popular Tom Collins cocktail, but what makes ours even more unique is the added strawberry and thyme element. A traditional gin fizz also has egg white added in, but we decided not to include it in this adaptation. ‘Cause we’re all about saving the chickens or something, you know?

Ingredients

Along with the following ingredients, you will need a cocktail shaker and a muddler. If you don’t have a muddler on hand, you can try using the butt of a wooden spoon instead.

• 60mls dry gin
• 2 sprigs thyme (leaves only)
• 4 strawberries, hulled
• 20mls lemon juice
• 20mls simple syrup (see below for instructions)
• 60mls soda water
• Strawberry and sprig of thyme to garnish
• Ice cubes

Instructions

Step 1

Add the simple syrup, thyme leaves and hulled strawberries to a cocktail shaker.

Step 2

Muddle until the leaves and fruit have broken down.

Step 3

Add the gin and lemon juice, and fill the cocktail shaker with ice cubes.

Step 4

Shake well.

Step 5

Pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Top up with soda water. Garnish with strawberry (sliced or halved) and a sprig of thyme.

Simple Syrup

Making simple syrup is easy, and just like grandma’s cookies, it always tastes better homemade. You’ll want to make it about an hour before you start on the gin fizz cocktails.

Here’s what you need:

• ½ cup of granulated sugar
• ½ cup of water

And here’s a quick how-to:

Step 1

Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan over a medium heat.

Step 2

Stir constantly until sugar is dissolved.

Step 3

Let the syrup cool.

Step 4

Pour into a glass jar and seal with a lid. Store your simple syrup in the fridge – it should last for about a month.