This raspberry gin cocktail is the perfect drink on a hot summer day. Fresh summer raspberries blend well with a touch of savory thyme. Make this the perfect cocktail to sip on the deck as you watch the sunset, or just enjoy inside before a homemade dinner.
Berries just may be my favorite food. The fact you can only get them a limited time of the year fresh adds to their mystique. I love them all—strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, too. Today, I have a recipe for one of my favorites, a fresh raspberry, and thyme gin cocktail.
Don’t drink alcohol? Make this into a mocktail by adding sparkling water instead of the gin and water called for in the recipe. Or you could make a homemade raspberry thyme lemonade instead. You’ll surprise yourself with how creative you are and what you come up with.
If you’re not a gin fan, you can use vodka, bourbon, or even substitute some sparkling wine instead. In fact, you can add a little gin, leave out the water, and use sparkling wine instead.
Why I love this raspberry gin cocktail
I love the juniper flavor from the gin, and it really works well with the fresh thyme. Uncle Val’s is one of my favorite gins. It has a hint of sage and lavender too.
You can mix and match the berries and herbs and use this as a template for seasonal cocktails all berry season. Try strawberries with basil, blueberries with mint, or blackberries with lemon balm.
When I’m not eating berries straight from the package, I often make other drinks or drink syrups with them. Be sure to try my Homemade Blueberry Thyme Syrup and Nancie McDermott’s Strawberry Shrub while the berries are still in season!
Are raspberries good for you?
Yes! Raspberries are high in fiber, so they help with digestion. They’re also loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. All these immune system boosters can help lower your risks of obesity, arthritis, diabetes, and cancer. They may even provide anti-aging effects.
But, don’t forget that they taste delicious, and are fun to eat too!
Are raspberries acidic?
Raspberries and their cousins—blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries—are considered acidic. Raspberries, in particular, have a pH of approximately 3.2 – 3.6, which is close to that of grapefruits.
That means they add that burst of brightness to drinks and salads. Try using them pureed in salad dressings in place of part of the acid.
Are raspberries good for dogs?
Raspberries? Well, yes. But gin—that’s a totally different story. Any alcoholic drink should never be given to your dogs. Liquor can cause dogs alcoholic intoxication. Your furry friends could vomit terribly.
Anyway, I’m sure you’re asking about the berries and not the gin. You know, in case you dropped some raspberries while prepping your raspberry gin cocktail. So here’s the good news.
Berries—including raspberries, blueberries, and cranberries—are safe options for dogs. You can even use these summer berries as treats. Just make sure to give the treats in moderation, as some puppies may have sensitive tummies. When they eat too much, they could still suffer from either diarrhea or constipation.
When are raspberries in season?
Most raspberries will bloom from May to August. If you’ve seen those ever-bearing variants, those ripen in late June or July—just in time for summer and for making some gin cocktail! They’ll continue bearing until the first frost.
Meanwhile, some summer-bearing raspberries up north will have to wait till July to ripen.
Can you flavor your own gin cocktail?
Yes! You’re basically adding flavors to your gin to build on the botanical essence that’s already there. Those flavors can come from fruits, herbs, or spices.
You could even add floral flavors. Actually, I did that in my Heartbreaker Rose Syrup Cocktail recipe where I used—as you might have guessed—my favorite rose syrup, (Why is it called heartbreaker? Well, I revealed the answer in that recipe.)
What goes good with raspberry?
Aside from being great with cocktails and mocktails, raspberries also pair well with other berries in many desserts. They also taste fantastic with nuts like almonds and hazelnuts.
Some of the more delightful ingredients to pair with raspberries are chocolate, lemon or lime, peach, plum, vanilla, and thyme (which is why we’re using thyme in this gin cocktail recipe). Raspberry also tastes amazing with apricot, citrus, mint, ginger, nectarine, and rhubarb.
Tell me in the comments what you love to make with fresh berries so I can try it too!
Ingredients for Fresh Raspberry Gin Cocktail with Thyme
Let me get you a quick list here.
- fresh thyme leaves – try growing your own and a world of flavor opens up like lemon thyme
- fresh raspberries – or switch for the berries you do have on hand
- lemon – no lemons? try lime or even a splash of orange juice
- agave – or your favorite sweetener to taste or even a little fruit juice instead
- gin – I love the flavor of gin, but if it’s not your thing you could use vodka or rum instead!
- water – I use still but you could use sparkling to make it a little fancier
How to make a vegan raspberry gin cocktail
This summer drink is probably one of my quickest recipes. You need to follow only 3 steps, and your cocktail will be ready!
- Muddle the thyme and raspberries.
- Add the rest of the ingredients.
- Serve with lots of crushed ice.
Pretty straightforward, huh?
More recipes to try
Summer drinks are super refreshing and healthier, too, especially when you make them vegan. If you enjoyed this Fresh Raspberry Gin Cocktail, I bet you’d also love my list of 16 Amazing Vegan Summer Drinks.
There’s one more recipe on that list that uses raspberries and another one that uses watermelon—in case you prefer something that’s less acidic.
If you’re more like a strawberry person, I also have 5 Strawberry Recipes that are perfect for spring!
Summer Raspberry Gin Cocktail with Thyme
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 8 fresh raspberries
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 to 2 teaspoons agave, to taste
- 1 shot gin
- 2 shots water
Instructions
- Muddle the thyme and raspberries.
- Add the rest of the ingredients.
- Serve with lots of crushed ice.
Notes
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information
Yield 1Amount Per Serving Calories 157Sodium 2mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 2gSugar 9gProtein 1g
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