If you’re looking for a unique, refreshing drink that stands out, try my Lavender Thyme Lemonade Mocktail recipe. This one uses real lavender and thyme, so you get a light floral and herbal twist on classic lemonade—perfect for warm days or special gatherings.
The simple ingredients come together to make a drink that looks beautiful and, honestly, tastes even better. I’ve tested different combinations to find that sweet spot between tart, sweet, and herbal.
The result? A mocktail that feels fancy but is easy to make at home. Here’s how to whip up this Lavender Thyme Lemonade Mocktail in just a few steps.
Equipment
- 1 Small saucepan
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon
- Mixing pitcher (at least 1 quart)
- Citrus juicer
- Ice cube tray
- Tall glasses for serving
- Stirring spoon
- Small bowl for garnishes
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender or 4 tablespoons fresh lavender blossoms
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs plus more for serving
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice about 4-6 lemons
- 3 cups cold water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- In the small saucepan, combine 1 cup water, sugar, lavender, and thyme.
- Bring to a low simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat and let the syrup steep for 10-15 minutes to infuse the herbs.
- Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a mixing pitcher to remove herbs.
- Add lemon juice and 3 cups cold water to the pitcher. Stir well to combine.
- Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour the mocktail over the ice.
- Garnish with lemon slices, thyme sprigs, or lavender sprigs. Serve chilled.
Notes
Must Have Ingredients
Image | Title | Buy |
---|---|---|
![]() | Collins Candied Fruit Orange Peel Twist in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Collins Strawberries in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Collins Candied Ginger in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Premium Lychees in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Oranfit Dried Orange Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Oranfit Dried Lime Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | LAVA Premium Cocktail Rimmers Variety Pack | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Pure Cane Simple Syrup Cocktail Mixer | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Q GINGER BEER with Real Ginger & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Q Mixers Premium Ginger Ale | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Q ELDERFLOWER TONIC WATER with Real Quinine & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Q Club soda with Himalayan Salt | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | WithCo Cucumber Gimlet Craft Cocktail Mixer with Mint | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Strongwater Old Fashioned Mix- Handcrafted Old Fashioned Syrup with Bitters, Orange, Cherry, Organic Demerara Sugar | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Bittermilk No.1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned Mix | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Portland Syrups Pumpkin Spice Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Portland Syrups Lavender Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Portland Syrups Vanilla Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Original Bloody Mary Mix | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Fever Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Professional Drink Mixer Set for Beginners | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | 1 Pack 3 Tier Bar Glass Rimmer | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Cocktail Ice Mold With Easy Fill and Release Silicone Round Ice Ball Maker | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Stainless Steel Bar Tool For Making Garnish for Cocktails & Mocktails | Buy On Amazon |
Tasting Notes
First sip? The lemonade is bright and crisp. The lemon brings that clean, tart punch.
The lavender adds a gentle floral note—never overpowering. I get a soft, sweet scent before I even taste it.
The thyme gives a subtle earthy, herbal touch. It plays nicely with the lemon and lavender.
Here’s what jumps out most to me:
- Lemon:Â Tart, refreshing
- Lavender:Â Light floral aroma
- Thyme:Â Subtle earthy flavor
The blend is smooth, balanced, not too sweet like soda, but the natural flavors really come through. When I serve it cold, it’s extra refreshing.
The color’s nice too—a light yellow with maybe a hint of pale lavender. If you like drinks that aren’t too sweet and have layers of flavor, this mocktail’s a pleasant change.
It’s bright enough for summer, but honestly, I’d drink it any time.
Substitute
Sometimes I just don’t have every ingredient at home. I’ll adjust the recipe with what I already have, or whatever’s easy to grab at the store.
Alternative Ingredients
- Lavender:
If I’m out of dried lavender, I’ll use a drop of food-grade lavender extract. Sometimes, honestly, I just skip it and go for straight thyme lemonade. - Thyme:
Fresh thyme isn’t always around, so I use dried thyme instead. I only use half as much, since dried herbs can be pretty intense. - Lemon juice:
No fresh lemons? Bottled lemon juice does the trick, though the taste is a bit different—maybe a little less bright. - Sweetener:
I’ll swap regular sugar for honey, agave syrup, or even a low-calorie sweetener if that’s what I’ve got.
Equipment Substitutes
- If I don’t have a pitcher, a mason jar works just fine.
- No muddler for herbs? A fork does the job in a pinch.
- When I’m out of cheesecloth, I just grab a mesh strainer.