Pear & Thyme Gin Fizz

I seem to be a little obsessed with thyme these days.  Slow braised beef dishes, veggie sides, you name it and I toss a little thyme in it.  So why should cocktails be any exception?

Using savory herbs in beverages is nothing new, of course, and I'm hardly the first person to muddle some thyme into a drink.  But I keep looking for new flavor combinations to go with it.  The crisp, early spring weather put me in the mood for some crisp pear juice.  Vodka would be great here but I was also in the mood for that juniper aroma of gin.  Happily, the thyme enhanced both flavors.  Cheers!

Per Serving:
2 oz. Gin
2 oz. Pear juice
1/2 oz. Simple syrup
1/2 Teaspoon thyme leaves
2 oz. Club soda

Add the gin, pear juice, simple syrup and thyme to a cocktail shaker.  Muddle the thyme leaves with a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon.  Fill with ice and shake well.  Pour into a chilled cocktail glass and top off with the club soda.