“What are you in the middle of?” my neighbor asked at one of our recent happy hours. In our tiny pocket of houses, where the streets come together like spokes on wheel, homes line only one side of the street. With a city address, we have plenty of privacy due to this street formation. But it’s not conducive to seeing your neighbor, unless you count the blurry sightings in the periphery. So a couple neighbors organized a permanent happy hour every third Thursday of the month. Women only. We sit across a table so we can actually see each other and answer question’s like: what are you in the middle of? Starting an Airbnb, hosting a graduation party, finding a new home for aging parents, writing a book, memorizing medical devices.
I love happy hour, but small talk always makes me a little anxious at first. Thinking of open-ended questions on the spot is not my best trait. I’m the friend you invite over to bring cocktails, not to start conversations. Speaking of cocktails, I’m working on my large batch cocktail game, like these Lemon Thyme Raspberry Vodkas. Because every third Thursday I get the call: what cocktail should we make? I’m as tongue-tied as I am at the start of happy hour.
I’ve come to realize that I’m just not that good on the spot unless I’ve prepped in advance—whether it’s a cocktail recipe or an open-ended question. So I’m collecting some of each. This large batch, make ahead Lemon Thyme Raspberry Vodka recipe is ready for August’s happy hour. As for questions, I’ve pocketed: what are you in the middle of? My other favorite question to ask: what’s the first song you memorized? I’ll answer first: Whoomp There It Is by Tag Team. Tell me yours! And while you’re at it, what’s your favorite open-ended question?
If you’re in Minnesota, don’t forget to enter the #BerryTogether giveaway here. Pack me in your suitcase and we’ll #BerryTogether over Lemon Thyme Raspberry Vodkas on the lake shore. Cheers!
This large batch cocktail is tart from the lemon, floral from the thyme, and pink from the raspberries. It can easily scale up for larger parties and be made in advance. Note: this drink is on the tart side, which I love. If you prefer drinks less tart, start by adding in 3/4 cup of the lemon juice and tasting.
Ingredients
Scale
Raspberry Thyme Simple Syrup
1/2 c. pure cane sugar
1/2 c. water
3 hunky sprigs of thyme
1/4 c. Driscoll raspberries, rinsed
Drink
scant 1 c. fresh squeezed lemon (about 8 large lemons)
1/2–3/4 c. good quality vodka (choose your own strength)
Garnish
4 Driscoll raspberries
4 skinny sprigs of thyme
Instructions
Make the Raspberry Thyme Simple Syrup. In a small saucepan, add the sugar, water, and thyme. Bring to a simmer and heat until sugar is completely dissolved (about 4 minutes), stirring occasionally. Once ready, remove from heat and add in raspberries. Smash and allow to steep for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the drink elements. Juice the lemons and measure out the vodka. Set aside.
Once the simple syrup is ready, strain through a fine mesh sieve. Allow to cool to room temperature before using. To speed up the time, place in the freezer. Once cooled, stir together the simple syrup, lemon juice, and vodka. This can be made 2 days in advance.
To serve, fill four skinny highball glasses with ice. Pour in drink and top with a raspberry and a skinny sprig of thyme.
Notes
• For pretty ice, use a square ice mold. Tuck raspberries into the mold just before freezing for an extra pretty presentation.
• Recipe inspired by Martha Stewart. I had a version of her Vodka-Thyme Lemonade at the NYC Alt Summit in 2012.
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The first song I memorized was Cabaret, loved the movie!! Your cocktail sounds so lovely! I love your posts and the comments. I wish you were my neighbor here in Huntington Beach! Thanks for your blog it so ROCKS!
The topic of conversation starters has always appealed to me. Here are a few more from The Nester. – What is something you are currently working on? -What’s one genius move you had over the past year? -What’s one idiot move you had over the past year? -What inspires you? -Who inspires you? -What’s a tip/trick that’s helped you or something you decided to let go of? -What’s the newest recipe you’ve recently tried? –
I like to ask how their family is, how many kids do they have, what are their ages, what do they do for work, how do they like it, do they have any travel plan coming up. That’s usually a great conversation right there!
I find that asking people to tell a story can be a fun way to get people talking. If I don’t know them at all, I ask “what’s your story?” because I hate how obsessed we are about asking what people “do.” But you can also ask people to tell a story about their day, their family’s traditions, how they came to be where they are, how they came to believe or value something, etc.
If I’m at a friend’s house and don’t know the other guests, I’ll ask how they know my friends (the hosts) – nice because I can hear their story and then reciprocate with mine too.
If you could only watch 3 movies for the rest of your life what would they be? I was shocked when my grampa said all the Bourne movies & my gramma started with Pretty Woman.
I like asking people where they are from, and about their family it always seems to make people open up and getting things flowing. Also I like where are you traveling too, and where have you gone! Those always get things moving ?
I love thyme! Anyway, I would ask, “What is the newest or most interesting recipe that you have tried lately?” Or, “What is your best summer standby recipe?”
That cocktail is beautiful! I usually rely on the easy, “What did you do today?” because it gets the convo started and quickly leads to other questions. Also, asking about upcoming trips always seems to do well.
Oh goodness, these look and sound delicious! I’m such a raspberry fan and I’m so happy to find a fun way I can use them in a cocktail.
The first song I memorized was Cabaret, loved the movie!!
Your cocktail sounds so lovely! I love your posts and the comments.
I wish you were my neighbor here in Huntington Beach!
Thanks for your blog it so ROCKS!
delicious! and so perfect for summer! I love the use of thyme in these as well!
The topic of conversation starters has always appealed to me. Here are a few more from The Nester.
– What is something you are currently working on?
-What’s one genius move you had over the past year?
-What’s one idiot move you had over the past year?
-What inspires you?
-Who inspires you?
-What’s a tip/trick that’s helped you or something you decided to let go of?
-What’s the newest recipe you’ve recently tried?
–
I like to ask how their family is, how many kids do they have, what are their ages, what do they do for work, how do they like it, do they have any travel plan coming up. That’s usually a great conversation right there!
-What are you most proud of?
-What is a lesson you learned as a result of failure?
–
When I’m trying to get to know someone I like to ask what they are passionate about.
I find that asking people to tell a story can be a fun way to get people talking. If I don’t know them at all, I ask “what’s your story?” because I hate how obsessed we are about asking what people “do.” But you can also ask people to tell a story about their day, their family’s traditions, how they came to be where they are, how they came to believe or value something, etc.
If I’m at a friend’s house and don’t know the other guests, I’ll ask how they know my friends (the hosts) – nice because I can hear their story and then reciprocate with mine too.
These look soo good – will have to try them soon!
If you could only watch 3 movies for the rest of your life what would they be? I was shocked when my grampa said all the Bourne movies & my gramma started with Pretty Woman.
Lol, I just realized I had even commented on here! Thanks for emailing me back!
What was the last thing you did for the first time?
Love this one!
I like asking people where they are from, and about their family it always seems to make people open up and getting things flowing. Also I like where are you traveling too, and where have you gone! Those always get things moving ?
I love thyme! Anyway, I would ask, “What is the newest or most interesting recipe that you have tried lately?” Or, “What is your best summer standby recipe?”
That cocktail is beautiful! I usually rely on the easy, “What did you do today?” because it gets the convo started and quickly leads to other questions. Also, asking about upcoming trips always seems to do well.