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    Recipes » Drinks

    Thyme Simple Syrup

    Published: Dec 31, 2022 · Modified: Jan 25, 2023 by foodworthfeed

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This simple syrup recipe is infused with the flavors of fresh thyme and is perfect for adding a sweet and savory balance to cocktails and non-alcoholic drink recipes.

    Thyme simple syrup in a mason jar with a bundle of fresh thyme.

    This page may contain affiliate link(s) to products used in this post. We only link to products we truly love and there is never any extra cost to you.

    We use this thyme simple syrup recipe in our Blood Orange and Thyme Mocktail. It's a simple sparkling drink balanced with the flavors of tart citrus, thyme and soda water.

    Check out our other cocktails syrups, like our favorite Plum Syrup Recipe in our complete Syrup Collection.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make This Syrup
    • Saving & Storing
    • Serving Suggestions
    • More Syrups You May Like...
    • Recipe

    Ingredients

    Thyme simple syrup is as easy as it sounds! All you need is fresh thyme sprigs, sugar, water and a little time. 🙂

    A pitcher of water, fresh thyme sprigs and a scoop of granulated sugar.

    How To Make This Syrup

    The trick to making simple syrup that is strongly infused with the savory flavors of fresh thyme is so first blanch the leaves, then allow them to steep overnight.

    I like to loosely bundle the thyme sprigs with twine so that it is easy to transfer and remove. However, if you don't have any kitchen twine, you can add the thyme in loose and strain it out later.

    1. Bring some water to a boil. Add in the thyme and allow the leaves to blanch for 30 seconds. Set the thyme aside and discard the water.

    A bundle of thyme blanching in boiling water.

    Bartender's Note: Why Bother Blanching? - Blanching the thyme leaves is KEY to creating a smooth and flavorful thyme syrup. The hot water initially shocks the plant and extracts bitter flavors from the herb. By blanching the leaves and discarding the thyme "tea", you are left with just the sweet and herbal flavors of the thyme.

    2. Then bring equal parts of sugar and water to a simmer. (For a richer syrup, you can use a 2:1 sugar to water ratio.) Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and the syrup is clear.

    Pouring water into a pot of sugar.
    Simple syrup simmering in a stainless steel pot.

    Add the syrup to a jar with the blanched thyme. Allow to cool and steep overnight in the refrigerator.

    Pouring simple syrup into a jar with a bundle of blanched thyme.

    3. The next day the syrup is ready to be used. Discard the thyme sprigs or continue steeping for up to 48 hours.

    Saving & Storing

    Thyme syrup can safely be stored in the refrigerator for 1 - 2 weeks. If alcohol is not an issue, adding 1 ounce of vodka can help to further extend this syrups' shelf life.

    The syrup can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

    A mason jar of thyme simple syrup.

    Serving Suggestions

    This syrup recipe can be used in any cocktail or drink recipes that use simple syrup and could benefit from the sweet herbal flavor. It works especially well in drinks with gin and/or citrus. Here are a few suggestions:

    • Blood Orange Mocktail with Thyme
    • Thyme Lemonade
    • Paloma with Thyme Syrup
    • Thyme Tom Collins
    • Thyme & Lime Gimlet
    • Fruity Drinks with Strawberry, Blackberry or Cranberry
    A wine glass filled with a blood orange cocktail garnished with a sprig of thyme.
    This non-alcoholic spritz is made with freshly-squeezed blood orange juice, thyme syrup and sparkling water.

    More Syrups You May Like...

    We love using flavored syrups to spice up our home bar. Here are some other syrup recipes we think you'll enjoy:

    • Hibiscus Syrup (Easy Flavored Syrup Recipe)
    • Honey Syrup
    • Blackberry Syrup
    • Rhubarb Syrup - For Cocktails, Mocktails & Sweets

    Recipe

    A mason jar of thyme simple syrup.

    Thyme Simple Syrup

    This simple syrup recipe is infused with fresh thyme for a sweetener that is savory, aromatic and herbal.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Course: Cocktail, Mocktail, Syrup
    Cuisine: New American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Refrigerated Steep Time (Overnight): 12 hours
    Servings: 16 Servings (Total Yield: 1 Pint)
    Author: foodworthfeed
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    Special Equipment

    • Kitchen Twine optional**

    Ingredients

    • ½ ounce fresh thyme loosely bundled with kitchen twine**
    • 1 Cup granulated sugar
    • 1 Cup water plus more for blanching
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • In a small pot, bring some water to a boil. Remove from heat, add thyme and blanch for 30 seconds. Remove thyme and set aside. Discard the blanching water and rinse the pot.
    • Bring 1 Cup water and 1 Cup sugar to a simmer. Stir until sugar is fully dissolved and the syrup is clear. Add blanched thyme and allow to cool to room temperature.
    • Steep syrup in the refrigerator for 12 - 48 hours. When ready to use, discard the thyme sprigs.

    Notes

    ** If you do not have any kitchen twine, you can transfer thyme sprigs with tongs or use a fine mesh strainer. 
    For a richer 2:1 simple syrup, use double the sugar. 

    *Unless otherwise noted, foodworthfeed recipes are developed using Diamond Crystal brand kosher salt. If using iodized or table salt, reduce quantities by about half.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 0.05g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.004g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.001g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 6mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 42IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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    More Drinks

    • Tropical Pineapple and Coconut Mocktail (Virgin Painkiller)
    • Sparkling Blood Orange Mocktail with Thyme
    • Homemade Caramel Sauce (Without Corn Syrup)
    • Amontillado Sherry Manhattan

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