Going alcohol free doesn’t have to mean boring. Whether it’s dry January, you’re opting for a mocktail for a mid-week beverage or cutting out alcohol all together, you are going to love my zingy Lemon Thyme Mocktail recipe. This drink is super refreshing and can easily be turned from a mocktail into a cocktail if you like.
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I’ve made this mocktail using a cocktail shaker but will include instructions for you to make it without one as well because we don’t all have a cocktail shaker on hand! With fresh lemon juice and thyme, naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup and topped with club soda, this is the perfect drink for the Summer months.
For the perfect Friday afternoon treat, this mocktail would be perfectly accompanied by some Dairy Free Tzatziki, veggie sticks and crackers.
What’s to Love About This Cocktail Recipe
- alcohol free – this non-alcoholic cocktail is made with all fresh ingredients and absolutely no alcohol, making it perfect for anyone choosing to go sober.
- naturally sweetened – no high sugar simple syrup here, this refreshing mocktail is sweetened with maple syrup for a little bit of sweetness.
- easy recipe – made in just a few simple steps, you will have a refreshing lemon mocktail in no time!
Ingredients Notes & Substitutions
See all of the ingredients that you will need to make my Lemon Thyme Mocktail below. All of the ingredients are easily found at your local grocery store. I’ve popped any notes and possible ingredient substitutions for you below, however the ingredient quantities can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- lemon – we use the lemon zest as well as the juice. If you prefer another citrus like lime, blood orange, orange or grapefruit.
- fresh thyme sprigs – other fresh herbs that work well for this recipe include fresh mint leaves or basil.
- coconut water – if you don’t want to use coconut water you don’t have to, though I find it adds just a slight coconut taste, which I love.
- pure maple syrup – you can opt for another liquid sweetener like honey, agave or liquid stevia if you’re reducing sugar.
- sparkling water – I’ve used soda water but you can also use mineral water.
- handful of ice – I’ve used mini circular ice cube moulds but you can also get the large circular ice cubes. But of course regular old ice cubes will be perfect as well!
How to a Make Lemon Thyme Mocktail
As I mentioned before, I’m going to provide two seperate methods, one for using a shaker and one for using a tumbler. There’s no difference in taste or quality between the two different methods.
Garnish
To garnish the glass, add lemon zest to a small plate. Slice the lemon in half and squeeze some juice from one half into a small bowl. Use a pastry brush to brush some of the lemon juice onto the side of the glass. Roll the juiced side of the glass into the lemon zest. Set aside.
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You could also try a lemon peel garnish if you’d like to add a lemon twist.
Shaker Method
Slice the remaining lemon half into two wedges. Add each lemon wedge to the shaker as well as the sprigs of thyme. Use a muddling stick to muddle lemon and thyme. To the shaker add the maple syrup and coconut water. Place the lid onto the shaker and shake to combine. Add a few slices of lemon to the garnished glass and half fill the glass with ice. Strain the lemon mixture into the glass and then top with soda water. Add another sprig of thyme to the glass and serve straight away.
Tumbler Method
Add both lemon wedges along with the sprig of thyme to a second glass tumbler. Use a muddling stick to muddle the lemon and thyme. Add the coconut water and maple syrup to the tumbler and stir to combine. Add the fresh lemon slices and ice to the garnished glass. Use a fine mesh strainer to strain the lemon mixture into the prepared glass. Top with soda water, garnish with fresh time and serve.
Alcoholic Version
If you’re loving the sound of this drink but would rather an alcoholic beverage then here are some options.
A 30mL nip of either,
- triple sec or cointreau,
- gin (to make a Tom collins),
- vodka.
Variations
- Strawberry lemonade – add some slices of fresh strawberries to the glass before serving.
Lemon Thyme Mocktail Recipe
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
- Sharp knife
- Chopping Board
- Fine mesh strainer
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 1 Lemon
- 1 teaspoon pure Maple syrup
- 60 mL Coconut water
- Soda water
- sprig thyme
Garnish
- Lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- To garnish the glass, zest lemon into a shallow dish. Slice the lemon in half and squeeze some lemon juice from one half into a small bowl. Brush the lemon juice onto the side of the glass tumbler. Roll the side of the tumbler in the lemon zest. Set aside.
- Slice the remaining half of the lemon into two wedges. Place lemon wedges into a cocktail shaker as well as the sprig of thyme. Use a muddling stick to muddle. Add the coconut water and maple syrup to the cocktail shaker, place the lid on and shake to combine.
- Half fill the garnished glass with ice and add a lemon slice and a sprig of thyme. Strain the lemon mixture into the glass through a fine mesh strainer.
- Top the glass up with soda water and serve straight away.
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