There are some moments that stay with you long after you've returned home. A warm afternoon in Provence, a table tucked beneath the shade of a plane tree, the gentle hum of conversation, laughter lingering in the air.
We were there for a long, leisurely lunch—the kind that stretches into the afternoon without a second thought. Simple food, beautifully prepared. A basket of crusty bread. A bowl of green olives. A salad with the ripest tomatoes. And this cocktail.
Light, herbal, and incredibly refreshing, it was the perfect companion to that moment. It wasn't fancy or fussy, just a simple combination of good ingredients meant to be enjoyed slowly. We knew we had to bring a little piece of it home with us.
Now, it's become one of our favorite drinks for a summer afternoon. Fresh thyme gives it that subtle, garden-inspired flavor that immediately takes us back to Provence.
And maybe that's what we love most about it. It's a reminder that slowing down doesn't have to wait for a trip to France. Sometimes it's as simple as making something beautiful to drink, stepping outside, and giving yourself permission to linger a little longer.
Here's to simple pleasures, good company, and creating a little Provence in the everyday.
The Provence Cocktail
Ingredients
2 oz gin or vodka
1 oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
1 sprig fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
Club soda
Ice
To make
Add the gin or vodka, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and a small sprig of thyme to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well.
Strain over fresh ice in a glass and top with a splash of club soda. Garnish with a fresh sprig of thyme.
Serve somewhere lovely—and take your time.