Grapefruit-Thyme Cocktail

Recipe courtesy Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 bunch fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
• 2 tablespoons black peppercorns, crushed
• 4 grapefruits, juiced
• 2 cups vodka
• Club soda
• Freshly ground black pepper, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and heat to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat. Add the thyme and peppercorns. Let steep for one hour. Strain and chill, reserving a few thyme sprigs for garnish.
2. Mix grapefruit juice and vodka in a pitcher. (Chill if making ahead.) To serve, fill each 8-ounce glass with 1 tablespoon thyme syrup, add ice to fill the glass, and fill 3/4 of the way full with the grapefruit mixture. Top with club soda. Garnish with 1 sprig of fresh thyme and some cracked black pepper if desired.