I’m excited to share my Honey Lemon Thyme Refresher, a bright blend of fresh lemon juice, honey syrup, and fragrant thyme that will shine at brunch and ranks among my favorite Spring Mocktail Ideas.

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I love bringing out the Honey Lemon Thyme Refresher for spring gatherings because it somehow feels fancy without being fussy. Bright fresh lemon juice wakes up your taste buds, while fresh thyme sprigs perfume the glass and make people pause, like huh what is that?

It’s perfect for brunch, a garden get together or when you’re curating Mocktails For Tea Party vibes, and it always sneaks onto my list of Mother’s Day Cocktail Ideas even though it’s non alcoholic. Guests always ask what’s in it and I get to smile, keep the secret and watch them sip again.

Ingredients

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Bright citrus, high in vitamin C and some fiber, adds tart, refreshing mouthfeel and tang.
Natural sweetener, mostly carbs, gives round sweetness, body, and a silky, clinging mouthfeel that lingers.
Fragrant herb, low calorie, provides herbal perfume, subtle savory notes and gentle earthiness that uplifts.
Calorie free bubbles that hydrate, lift flavors, make it feel lively and extra crisp too.
Loads of ice cools fast, dilutes slowly, keeps drink crisp, refreshing and properly chilled too.
Tiny pinch brightens sweetness and acidity, adds trace minerals, balances flavors without saltiness really nicely.
Thin lemon wheels add extra aroma, visual pop, a zesty bite and fresh citrus perfume.

Ingredient Quantities

1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6 to 8 lemons)

1/2 cup honey syrup (1/2 cup honey + 1/2 cup warm water)

4 cups chilled sparkling water or club soda

8 to 10 fresh thyme sprigs plus extra for garnish

Ice for serving, lots of it

4 lemon slices or wheels for garnish

Pinch of fine sea salt (optional but it brightens)

How to Make this

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1. Make the honey syrup: stir 1/2 cup honey with 1/2 cup warm water until it’s fully blended, no clumps.

2. Bruise 8 of the thyme sprigs with the back of a spoon or between your fingers to wake up the oils, then drop them into the warm honey syrup and let steep for 10 to 15 minutes; strain out the thyme and chill the syrup.

3. While the syrup cools, squeeze about 6 to 8 lemons to get 1 cup fresh lemon juice, strain out seeds and pulp if you want a cleaner drink.

4. In a large pitcher combine the chilled honey-thyme syrup and the 1 cup lemon juice, add a small pinch of fine sea salt if using, it really brightens the flavors.

5. Add 4 cups chilled sparkling water or club soda to the pitcher and stir gently so you keep the fizz.

6. Taste and tweak: add a little more syrup if its too tart, or a splash more lemon if its too sweet.

7. Fill tall glasses with lots of ice, this drink is best very cold.

8. Pour the refresher over the ice, leaving room on top so it wont spill.

9. Garnish each glass with a fresh thyme sprig and a lemon slice or wheel; clap or rub the thyme between your palms first to release the aroma.

10. Serve right away so the drink stays fizzy, or if making ahead keep the syrup refrigerated up to a week and add sparkling water just before serving.

Equipment Needed

1. Measuring cups and spoons (1 cup, 1/2 cup, teaspoon)
2. Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl for warming the honey
3. Wooden spoon or muddler to bruise the thyme and stir
4. Fine-mesh strainer or sieve to catch the thyme bits
5. Citrus juicer or reamer and a small bowl for the lemon juice
6. Large pitcher for combining syrup, juice and sparkling water
7. Long-handled spoon for gentle stirring so you dont kill the fizz
8. Knife and cutting board for slices or wheels
9. Tall glasses plus ice scoop or tongs for serving
10. Airtight jar or bottle to chill and store the honey-thyme syrup

FAQ

Q: Can I use a different sweetener instead of honey syrup? A: Yes. You can swap in simple syrup, agave, or maple syrup but maple will add its own flavor so use a little less. If you use granulated sugar dissolve it in warm water first so it mixes well with the lemon.

Q: Do I have to use fresh thyme or will dried work? A: Fresh thyme is best for aroma and looks, but dried will work if you have none. Use about one third the amount of dried thyme and steep it longer, then strain so the drink isn't gritty.

Q: How far ahead can I make this? A: Make the lemon + honey base and refrigerate up to 2 to 3 days. Keep the sparkling water separate and add right before serving so it stays fizzy. Honey syrup can last a week or two in the fridge.

Q: Can I turn this into a cocktail? A: Sure. Add 1 to 1.5 ounces of vodka, gin, or a light rum per serving. Gin pairs nicely with thyme and lemon. Add alcohol after you mix the base and before the soda.

Q: How do I get more thyme flavor without it tasting bitter? A: Gently bruise or clap the thyme between your hands to release oils and either muddle lightly in the honey syrup or steep briefly. Don’t oversteep or it'll get bitter, ten minutes is usually enough for a warm infusion.

Q: What's the pinch of salt for and can I skip it? A: The salt brightens the flavors and makes the lemon taste cleaner, but it's optional. Use just a small pinch, taste, then add more only if you think it needs it.

Honey Lemon Thyme Refresher Mocktail Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Fresh lemon juice: swap with fresh lime juice for a similar tart kick, or use pink grapefruit juice for a sweeter, slightly bitter twist; if you’re out of fresh fruit, bottled lemon juice will work in a pinch but tastes flatter.
Honey syrup (1:1 honey + water): swap with simple syrup (1:1 granulated sugar + water) for a neutral sweetener, or try maple syrup diluted 1:1 for a warm, earthy note (use a touch less if it’s strong).
Fresh thyme sprigs: swap with rosemary sprigs for a piney, savory aroma, or use 1 teaspoon dried thyme (steep briefly in warm water to wake it up) if you don’t have fresh herbs.
Sparkling water or club soda: swap with ginger ale or lemon-lime soda for a sweeter, more cocktail-like drink, or use chilled tonic water if you want a slightly bitter, more grown-up profile.

Pro Tips

– Chill everything you can first, seriously. Cold syrup, cold sparkling water and chilled glasses keep the drink fizzy longer. If you must make it ahead, only add the sparkling water right before serving or you’ll lose all the bubbles.

– Don’t be afraid to tweak the thyme. Steep the bruised sprigs a bit longer in the warm honey syrup for stronger herb notes, but taste as you go or it can turn slightly bitter. Or for a brighter scent, toss a little lemon zest into the warm syrup and strain it out with the thyme.

– Use thyme ice cubes instead of plain ice so your drink won’t dilute as fast. Pack small trays with a sprig and a splash of leftover syrup or water, freeze, then drop one or two in each glass.

– Honey thickness varies, so measure by taste not pride. If it feels too sweet or syrupy, add more sparkling water or a squeeze more lemon. A tiny pinch of fine sea salt will wake up the flavors, just don’t overdo it.

Honey Lemon Thyme Refresher Mocktail Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

kcal

Equipment: 1. Measuring cups and spoons (1 cup, 1/2 cup, teaspoon)
2. Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl for warming the honey
3. Wooden spoon or muddler to bruise the thyme and stir
4. Fine-mesh strainer or sieve to catch the thyme bits
5. Citrus juicer or reamer and a small bowl for the lemon juice
6. Large pitcher for combining syrup, juice and sparkling water
7. Long-handled spoon for gentle stirring so you dont kill the fizz
8. Knife and cutting board for slices or wheels
9. Tall glasses plus ice scoop or tongs for serving
10. Airtight jar or bottle to chill and store the honey-thyme syrup

Ingredients

1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6 to 8 lemons)
1/2 cup honey syrup (1/2 cup honey + 1/2 cup warm water)
4 cups chilled sparkling water or club soda
8 to 10 fresh thyme sprigs plus extra for garnish
Ice for serving, lots of it
4 lemon slices or wheels for garnish
Pinch of fine sea salt (optional but it brightens)

Directions

Make the honey syrup: stir 1/2 cup honey with 1/2 cup warm water until it's fully blended, no clumps.
Bruise 8 of the thyme sprigs with the back of a spoon or between your fingers to wake up the oils, then drop them into the warm honey syrup and let steep for 10 to 15 minutes; strain out the thyme and chill the syrup.
While the syrup cools, squeeze about 6 to 8 lemons to get 1 cup fresh lemon juice, strain out seeds and pulp if you want a cleaner drink.
In a large pitcher combine the chilled honey-thyme syrup and the 1 cup lemon juice, add a small pinch of fine sea salt if using, it really brightens the flavors.
Add 4 cups chilled sparkling water or club soda to the pitcher and stir gently so you keep the fizz.
Taste and tweak: add a little more syrup if its too tart, or a splash more lemon if its too sweet.
Fill tall glasses with lots of ice, this drink is best very cold.
Pour the refresher over the ice, leaving room on top so it wont spill.
Garnish each glass with a fresh thyme sprig and a lemon slice or wheel; clap or rub the thyme between your palms first to release the aroma.
Serve right away so the drink stays fizzy, or if making ahead keep the syrup refrigerated up to a week and add sparkling water just before serving.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.