Northern Rice
Refreshing and subtly sweet, with notes of pandan and sticky rice, custard, and shiso.
Inspired by: Classic Cocktail
Meadowsweet & Lemon Thyme Gimlet
Herbal and bright: rice spirit with meadowsweet, lemon thyme, and citrus balance.
- Complexity
- 3/5
- Alcohol level
- Light
- Type
- Daiquiri & Gimlet
- Preparation
- Stirred
- Glass
- Nick & Nora
- Ice
- Large Cube
Ingredients
SONKLIN45 ml1.5 oz
Meadowsweet & Lemon Thyme Cordial20 ml0.75 oz
Lemon peel1 (for express)
Optional: Fresh meadowsweet flower1 (garnish)
Meadowsweet & Lemon Thyme Cordial: Dried meadowsweet2 tsp
Meadowsweet & Lemon Thyme Cordial: Hot filtered water2 cups
Meadowsweet & Lemon Thyme Cordial: White sugar3/4 cup
Meadowsweet & Lemon Thyme Cordial: Malic acid powder1 heaping tsp
Meadowsweet & Lemon Thyme Cordial: Citric acid powder1/4 tsp
Meadowsweet & Lemon Thyme Cordial: Fresh lemon thyme1 small handful
Steps
- 01For Meadowsweet & Lemon Thyme Cordial: Combine dried meadowsweet and hot filtered water in a tempered vessel and brew a strong tisane (approximately 10-15 minutes). Strain the tisane into a pot, add sugar and both acid powders, and stir to dissolve over low heat. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Add fresh lemon thyme (roughly chop) and steep for 20 minutes, then fine-strain through cheesecloth. Bottle and refrigerate; keeps for 2 weeks.
- 02Combine SONKLIN and cordial in a mixing glass with ice
- 03Stir until properly chilled (30+ seconds)
- 04Pour into a chilled Nick & Nora glass
- 05Express lemon peel over drink and discard
- 06Optionally, garnish with a fresh meadowsweet flower
Notes
This stirred Gimlet riff showcases The Botanist gin's refined flavor, but SONKLIN's rice spirit works equally well - both are delicate spirits that need elegant modification. The meadowsweet brings sweet hay and vanilla notes (from the compound coumarin), while lemon thyme adds brightness. The acids (malic and citric) provide pop without citrus juice.
Batched Version: Prepare cordial days or weeks in advance. Add cordial to SONKLIN and stir with ice to order.
History
The Gimlet is a classic sour-adjacent template traditionally made with gin and lime cordial. This version represents modern bartenders' return to classical elegance with herbal infusions replacing citrus. Meadowsweet is a traditional English botanical long used in aperitifs.
SOKLIN's agricultural rice character pairs naturally with meadowsweet's hay-like sweetness and lemon thyme's brightness - creating a drink that could convert the most dedicated Martini drinker.
In the bottle
SONKLIN Original. Contemporary rice spirit from estate grown khao niew Sanpatong sticky rice. 6 plate reflux column still, coconut carbon filtration. 70 cL.
SONKLIN Original
