Spring brings fresh flavors and a need for refreshing drinks. This strawberry and thyme mocktail combines sweet berries with earthy herbs for a tasty non-alcoholic beverage.

This simple recipe takes just 10 minutes to make and needs only 5 basic ingredients. You’ll need fresh strawberries, thyme sprigs, lime juice, simple syrup, and sparkling water.

The bright red color and swirled pattern make it perfect for parties, brunches, or any warm afternoon. Kids and adults both enjoy this fruity drink that looks fancy but stays alcohol-free.

Strawberry Thyme Swirl Mocktail Recipe

This refreshing drink combines sweet strawberries with earthy thyme for a bright and balanced non-alcoholic beverage perfect for spring gatherings.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Thyme Simple Syrup:

1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
8-10 fresh thyme sprigs

For the Mocktail:

2 cups fresh strawberries hulled
1/4 cup thyme simple syrup
1 cup fresh lemon juice
2 cups sparkling water
Ice cubes
Fresh thyme sprigs and strawberry slices for garnish

Instructions

Make the thyme simple syrup: Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves, then add thyme sprigs and simmer for 5 minutes. After that, let it cool and strain.

Blend strawberries until smooth. Then, strain the puree through a fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the strawberry puree, thyme syrup, and lemon juice. Shake for 15 seconds.
Pour the mixture into tall glasses filled with ice, then top with sparkling water.

Stir gently with a mixing spoon to combine.
Finally, garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and strawberry slices.

Notes

The thyme simple syrup stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.

For a stronger thyme flavor, steep the sprigs in the syrup for up to 30 minutes.

Make strawberry puree ahead and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

For best results, use fresh strawberries. If using frozen, thaw completely before blending.

Tasting Notes

This mocktail combines sweet strawberry notes with earthy thyme undertones. The fresh strawberry puree creates a bright, fruity base that feels light and refreshing on the palate.

The thyme syrup adds subtle herbal complexity without overpowering the drink. Its gentle pine and mint notes complement the natural sweetness of the strawberries.

The swirled pattern makes each sip unique, with varying ratios of strawberry and thyme flavors. Some moments highlight the fruit, while others emphasize the herbs.

Key Flavor Components:

Fresh strawberry: Sweet and bright
Thyme syrup: Herbal and earthy
Lemon juice: Tart and zesty

Club soda: Crisp effervescence

The drink starts sweet and fruity, then transitions to herbal notes mid-palate. The finish is clean and bubbly from the club soda, with a gentle thyme essence that lingers.

Temperature affects the taste profile. When very cold, the strawberry flavors shine brightest. As it warms slightly, the thyme becomes more noticeable.

The mocktail tastes best when served between 35-40°F (2-4°C). This temperature range keeps the flavors balanced while maintaining optimal fizz from the club soda.

Substitute

You can swap ingredients in this strawberry thyme mocktail while keeping the drink’s taste and style. Fresh raspberries or blackberries work great instead of strawberries.

Replace thyme with rosemary or mint for a different herbal note. Each herb brings its own unique taste to the drink.

For the sparkling water base:

Club soda
Tonic water
Ginger ale
Sprite or 7-Up

Sugar alternatives:

Can’t find fresh strawberries? Use frozen ones – just thaw them first. Strawberry jam works too, but use half the amount since it’s sweeter.

For a tart kick, add a splash of cranberry juice or pomegranate juice. These mix well with the other flavors and add nice color.

Need a quick garnish fix? Skip the fresh thyme and use a lemon wheel or lime wedge instead.

Strawberry Thyme Swirl Mocktail Recipe