Apple Thyme Martini - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Thyme Simple Syrup
1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar
5 sprigs fresh thyme
To Assemble
ice
8 ounces vodka (I use Absolut)
8 ounces apple juice
1/4 cup thyme syrup
1 large green apple, peeled
4 sprigs fresh thyme, optional garnish

Preparation

Chill the martini glasses.
To Make syrup: In small saucepan, combine water, sugar & thyme. Bring to boil over medium heat then reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat & let cool. (Leftover syrup should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.).
To Assemble: Fill a martini shaker with the vodka, apple juice & 1/4 cup of the thyme syrup. Shake 10 seconds & pour into 4 chilled glasses. (I use a single-serve shaker so I combine everything but ice in a pitcher & then pour into shaker from there.).
Use a melon baller to scoop small balls of apple. Place 3 apple balls & a sprig of fresh thyme in each glass.
Serve immediately.