Tangerine and Thyme Prosecco Cocktail Recipe

ByJohn

If you’re after a simple, refreshing drink to liven up your next get-together, you’re in the right spot. My Tangerine and Thyme Prosecco Cocktail is dead easy, looks gorgeous, and has this bright, crisp flavor I can’t get enough of.

I love how the sweetness of tangerine blends with the herbal kick from fresh thyme. Prosecco brings those lively bubbles—every sip feels a bit like a celebration, honestly.

This recipe is great for brunch, summer parties, or any time you want something special but don’t want to fuss. Let me show you how I throw this cocktail together in just a few minutes.

Tangerine and Thyme Prosecco Cocktail Recipe

Tangerine And Thyme Prosecco Cocktail Recipe

Tangerine and Thyme Prosecco Cocktail Recipe
It’s all about fresh tangerine juice, aromatic thyme, and crisp Prosecco. With the right tools and a handful of ingredients, I can whip up a drink that’s perfect for parties or just a chill evening.
John
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Serving Size 1

Equipment

  • Jigger: I use this to measure juice and syrup so I don’t go overboard.
  • Cocktail shaker: Shaking the juice and syrup with ice really brings it together.
  • Fine mesh strainer: Helps me get rid of any pulp or ice bits—nobody wants a chunky cocktail.
  • Muddler: I gently press the thyme, just enough to release its flavor without smashing it to bits.
  • Citrus juicer or reamer: Fresh juice is a must, so I squeeze it myself.
  • Champagne flute or coupe glass: Keeps those bubbles in the Prosecco alive.
  • Bar spoon: Stirring in the Prosecco gently keeps it bubbly (trust me, don’t skip this).
  • Small saucepan (for syrup): For the thyme simple syrup, I simmer sugar, water, and thyme together.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz fresh tangerine juice
  • 1/2 oz thyme simple syrup
  • 4 oz chilled Prosecco
  • 1 small sprig fresh thyme plus extra for garnish
  • Ice cubes
  • 1/2 tsp tangerine zest optional, for garnish

For thyme syrup:

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4-5 sprigs fresh thyme

Instructions

  • Add tangerine juice and thyme simple syrup to your cocktail shaker.
  • Toss in a sprig of fresh thyme and give it a gentle muddle.
  • Fill the shaker with ice and shake it up for about 10 seconds.
  • Strain into a chilled glass—no pulp, please.
  • Slowly top with Prosecco. Pour gently, or you’ll lose those bubbles.
  • Give the drink a gentle stir with a bar spoon.
  • Garnish with a little thyme and, if you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of tangerine zest.
  • For the thyme syrup, I mix water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar’s dissolved. Then I add the thyme sprigs, let it simmer for a couple minutes, remove from heat, and let it steep until cool. Strain out the thyme and you’re good to go.

Notes

I always go for freshly squeezed tangerine juice—the flavor just pops more. Bottled stuff? It’s usually pretty flat. If I can’t find tangerines, I’ll use clementines or mandarins, but I keep an eye on the sweetness and adjust as needed.
Prosecco should be super cold. I never shake it with the other ingredients—shaking kills the bubbles, and nobody wants a flat cocktail.
The thyme syrup keeps for about a week in the fridge. I sometimes make extra since it’s great in other drinks, too. You can play with the sweetness by tweaking the syrup amount. If you want it less sweet, just use 1/4 ounce.
Garnishing with thyme and a bit of tangerine zest makes the drink smell amazing. I always serve this cocktail right away—those bubbles won’t wait.

Tasting Notes

First sip? There’s this gentle burst of citrus. The tangerine is bright, sweet, and has a little tang to it.

The Prosecco brings a crisp, lively fizz. It’s refreshing, and I get a hint of green apple and pear from the sparkling wine.

The thyme is subtle—not overpowering, just a touch of earthiness and a fresh aroma that lingers.

In each sip, I taste:

  • Tangerine: sweet, juicy, and right up front
  • Thyme: herbal, a little floral
  • Prosecco: crisp, bubbly, super clean

The drink finishes clean with a soft herbal aftertaste. The fizz hangs around on my tongue, making every sip feel bright and fresh.

Must Have Ingredients

Substitute

Sometimes, I just have to swap out ingredients depending on what’s actually in my kitchen. Here are a few go-to substitutes that tend to work out pretty well in this cocktail.

Equipment:

Ingredients:

  • If I’m out of tangerine juice, fresh orange juice usually does the trick. It brings that sweet, citrusy thing I want.
  • No Prosecco? Sometimes I just grab sparkling wine, or even club soda if I’m feeling lazy or want it lighter.
  • Swapping out thyme for fresh basil or mint gives a different vibe, but it’s still tasty in its own way.
  • When I want a deeper sweetness, honey syrup steps in for simple syrup. It’s a little richer, which I like.

Instructions:

  • I measure the substitute the same as the original—no fancy math required.
  • For the herbs, I just muddle whatever I’m using straight in the glass. That’s where the flavor really comes out.
  • If I’m using club soda instead of sparkling wine, I pour it in at the end. Keeps things nice and fizzy, which is kind of the point, right?

Hey there, I’m John Watson—a guy who’s spent over 20 years proving that a good drink can fix just about anything (well, almost anything). Whether it’s cocktails that wow or mocktails that mock boredom, I’m all about crafting sips with stories. Founder of ThirstyTales and full-time drink nerd, I’m here to help you shake things up, one glass at a time. Let’s mix, laugh, and maybe spill a little—cheers to the adventure!

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