Phenomenal Phoods

Father Thyme and Baby New Year Cocktail and Mocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 pear, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 4-5 sprigs thyme
• 1 bottle champagne or 1-2 cans tonic water*
• 2 blood oranges
• thyme sprigs and blood orange slices (dried or fresh) for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine the pear, sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring to a boil and cook until the pear has softened when pierced with a fork. Remove from the heat and add the thyme. Let steep for 5-10 minutes. The longer you let it sit, the stronger the thyme flavor will be.
2. Remove the thyme and either strain out the pear or use a blender to blend it with the simple syrup for a stronger pear taste and a creamier texture.
3. Fill 4 champagne or other tall, thin glasses with crushed ice.
4. Pour 1 ounce of the pear and thyme simple syrup into each glass.
5. Fill the glass almost to the top (leave a little room) with champagne or tonic water.
6. Top with fresh, squeezed blood orange juice. I used 1/2 small orange for each drink.
7. Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme and a fresh or dried blood orange slice.