Not So Simple Syrup Cocktail Recipe & Giveaway

Today we're excited to bring you a cocktail recipe using lemon all natural simple syrup from Not So Simple Syrup, a brand new company who has also generously provided a complete bar starter gift basket as a prize pack for one lucky reader. Learn more about Not So Simple Syrup, the cocktail we concocted below and enter for a chance to win a gift basket of your own at the bottom of this post.

We're all about independent business owners taking a leap of faith to follow their passion and that's why we love the story behind this brand new all natural signature syrup line so much. It all started with Heidi, a professionally trained bartender and later caterer, who was following her passion for cocktail creation and searching for a way to bring her talents from the bar to the kitchen. She's now the Founder, Chief Innovation Officer, and Official Taste Tester of Not So Simple Syrup’s line of signature syrups and brought on her catering partner-in-crime, Barbie, to come along on the journey.

Heidi and Barbie pride themselves on being small, local makers of simple syrups that spend their days and nights looking for ways to help you transform your own drink creations. They use the highest quality ingredients, a local bottler, and personally test every batch individually. Their mission is to simplify your life one cocktail at a time, and the signature syrups also make great infusions for iced teas, lemonades and other non-alcoholic beverages.

When we set eyes on the lemon signature syrup, we knew we wanted create a take on a classic cocktail called the Bee's Knees — perfect for these transitional days at the end of summer leading into fall. We've made versions of simple syrup here on the blog before, and having these readymade bottles on hand can take one less step away from the process when you're busy, plus the swing-top glass bottles look nice displayed on your bar or stored in the fridge. They're the kind of bottles you'll want to keep around and re-use long after the last drop of signature syrup has been used up.

Not So Simple Syrup Bee's Knees

• 2T Signature Lemon Not So Simple Syrup
• Small dollop (1/4 teaspoon or less) honey
• 2 ounces gin
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• Tonic
• Lemon peel

Muddle 2 fresh sprigs of thyme in the bottom of a small mason jar. Add the signature lemon syrup, honey and gin, stirring to combine. Add ice and tonic, give a shake back and forth between glasses, then garnish with lemon peel and more fresh thyme.

It was difficult deciding on a single cocktail to create with all the different flavor options available, so we rounded up some of our favorite ideas from Pinterest where Not So Simple Syrup variations could easily be subbed in where recipes call for a syrup infusion:

Recipe sources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

The options are endless. Check out the full flavor collection over on Not So Simple Syrup and find mixing ideas on their recipe page. Keep up with new flavors and recipes by following the Not So Simple Syrup Facebook and Twitter pages. There's also a 20% off your entire order offer when using the code MOJITO at checkout.

Giveaway Details 
One of our readers will win a complete prize pack similar to the gift basket pictured below including two large syrup bottles, 2 stemless glasses, muddler and recipe bar towel:

Giveaway open to US residents only. To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter form below — it might take a few seconds to load. For those unfamiliar with Rafflecopter, you fill in the fields using your choice of Facebook or your email, which is only used to contact the randomly selected winner (no spam) — it's that simple.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Not So Simple Syrup generously provided us with signature syrup samples to play mixologist with along with all the goodies included in today's gift basket giveaway. All the delicious thoughts, opinions and recipe for the cocktail are our own — thank you so much for supporting the sponsors that make 17 Apart possible.