Thyme Lemonade Spritz Recipe

Make syrup

Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer.

Add 6 fresh thyme sprigs to the simmering syrup. Reduce heat to low and let the syrup steep for 8–10 minutes, tasting after 8 minutes for preferred thyme intensity.

Remove the pan from heat. Allow the syrup to cool with the thyme still steeping for another 10 minutes to deepen flavor. Remove and discard (or reserve) the thyme sprigs, then strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a jar. Chill until ready to use.

Juice lemons

Juice enough lemons to yield 3 cups (about 3–4 medium lemons). Strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds and excess pulp.

In a large pitcher, combine the 3 cups fresh lemon juice with 2 cups cold water. Add 3/4 to 1 cup of the chilled thyme simple syrup (start with 3/4 cup and adjust to taste) and stir well. Taste and add more syrup if you prefer sweeter lemonade.

Add 2 cups of ice to the pitcher to chill the lemonade base, or refrigerate the base until cold if you prefer to avoid diluting with ice.

Assemble spritzes

Divide the lemonade base among four tall glasses (about 1 cup of base per glass, depending on glass size). Top each glass with 1/2 cup chilled club soda or sparkling water for a light spritz. Stir gently to combine.

Garnish each glass with 1–2 lemon slices and 1 fresh thyme sprig. If using, add a small pinch (about 1 tsp across the batch) of lemon zest to each glass for added aroma.

Serve immediately while fizzy. Optionally, provide extra thyme simple syrup at the table for guests who want a sweeter drink.