• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Biting into Life logo
  • Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Meals
    • Comfort Food
    • High-Protein Plant-Based Meals
    • Main Dishes
    • Breakfast
    • Snacks
    • All Recipes
  • Ressources
    • My products
    • Nutrition Guides
  • About Me
    • My Mission
    • My Story
    • Press & Media
    • Food Stories
    • Contact Me
  • Freebies
  • English
    • Français
  • Nav Social Menu

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
    • My Mission
    • My Story
  • Nutrition Guides
  • Subscribe
  • English
    • Français
    • English
      • Français
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes

    Invigorating Ginger and Thyme Lemonade

    Published: Jul 29, 2018 · Modified: Jul 25, 2021 by Naiby · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This fresh and fancy lemonade infused with lemon thyme and ginger has nothing to do with the cloudy, saccharine-laden, colorless carbonated lemonade. 

    It’s invigorating and is the perfect refreshment on hot summer weather or when you’re feeling a bit low on energy.

    Two glasses of lemonade in front of a small wood container of lemons
    Ginger and thyme lemonade
    Jump to:
    • The Best Lemonade When You Need a Pick-Me-Up
    • What is Simple Syrup?
    • How to Make Lemonade without Simple Syrup
    • What’s in a Ginger and Thyme Lemonade?
    • How to Make Ginger Thyme Lemonade Step by Step
    • How does Ginger Thyme Lemonade Taste Like?
    • Make this Perfect Summer Thyme Drink Now!
    • Ginger and Thyme Lemonade Recipe
    • Ginger and Thyme Lemonade

    The Best Lemonade When You Need a Pick-Me-Up

    At this time of the year, when I’m shuffling up a hill in the scorching sun or stuck on a stuffy bus in the fuming traffic, a cold glass of lemonade might often appear before me, spontaneously, like a mirage of refreshment.

    But not any old lemonade.  The mouth-puckering, traditional drink. The kind that will soothe me. The kind that will charge me as if I was inhaling fresh air around Niagara Falls. This type of lemonade!

    If you’ve been feeling dehydrated, drowsy, sluggish, like a dog walking around with its tongue sticking out, maybe it’s time to perk up your body with some real, fresh lemonade. 

    Pst! Without simple syrup, though.

    What is Simple Syrup?

    Caster sugar on a green salad plate
    Caster sugar

    Simple syrup, also called simple sugar, is made with two ingredients: refined white sugar and water. You dissolve sugar in heated water (in equal parts) and that's it. It’s that simple (hence the name maybe?) Now here are my thoughts on this.

    Swallowing simple syrup is like sticking a needle in your arm with liquid heroin.

    Am I being too outrageous? Today, it’s well known that sugar is addictive—just like liquid, syrupy heroin (see the analogy?). And we eat too much of it.

    In 2009-2010, reports have shown that Americans consume about 18 teaspoons of added sugar per day when, according to the American Heart Association, the daily limit for a woman is 6 teaspoons (20-25 grams or 100 calories) and 9 teaspoons (30-37.5 grams or 150 calories) for a man. If you’re over that limit, it wouldn’t be outrageous to say that you’re overdosing.

    How to Make Lemonade without Simple Syrup

    Most commercial—and even homemade—lemonades are loaded with sugar. They’re usually sweetened with simple syrup.

    So should you eliminate sugar?

    Well, going sugar-free would be best. Eating naturally occurring sugars from fruit would be wiser. But, adding natural sweeteners may be the answer.

    Because certain natural sweeteners like cane sugar, maple syrup, agave nectar, or honey (not vegan) contain some minerals compared to refined white sugar, which has none. But hold up:

    Natural sweeteners might be better alternatives, but they're not any healthier.

    They are still refined, high in calories and devoid of fiber. They will spike your blood sugar and provoke highs and lows.

    Listen, I know we can’t all be perfect. So I always say: when choosing something unwholesome, choose the lesser evil.

    Which I did. To create my mocktail, my sweetener of choice was maple syrup to make maple simple syrup. I’ll tell you in a moment how I made it, but for now, I’ll advise you to make it first as a stand-alone ingredient, then add it to your lemonade. This will also allow you to create other drinks with or without alcohol.

    Now let’s dive into the sourness of the drink.

    What’s in a Ginger and Thyme Lemonade?

    Ginger and thyme lemonade ingredients (from left to right clockwise) : thyme, lemons for lemonade, maple syrup, and ginger
    Ginger and thyme lemonade ingredients (from left to right clockwise): thyme, lemons for lemonade, maple syrup, and ginger

    Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

    Main ingredients

    • Water – you can use rested tap water, distilled or spring water;
    • Simple maple syrup – this is simply made with water and maple syrup (see below);
    • Lemon – make sure they’re not too hard or else, you won’t have a lot of juice.

    Seasonings

    • Ginger – use fresh ginger, for sure;
    • Lemon Thyme – if you can’t find any, normal thyme will do.

    How to Make Ginger Thyme Lemonade Step by Step

    To begin, I combined 1 part water and ¾ part maple syrup to make my maple simple syrup. Apparently, it’s the best ratio to replace sugar, as 1 cup of sugar contains more air, more space between the crystals. I then infused the mixture with a few sprigs of lemon thyme and grated ginger (sliced ginger is shown in the picture) until it simmered. After, I let it cool while the thyme and the ginger steep for extra flavor. Then I strained the syrup, transferred it to a small jar and refrigerated it until ready to use.

    A small jar on maple syrup, thyme sprigs, and slices of ginger
    Maple simple syrup

    Finally, in a pitcher or a mason jar, I diluted lemon juice with water and added a portion of the infused maple simple syrup. I reintroduced fresh lemon thyme and the strained ginger to the lemonade to boost the flavor. I refrigerated the beverage for a few hours and served it over ice with garnishes of lemon rinds and thyme.

    How does Ginger Thyme Lemonade Taste Like?

    This lemonade is tart, but it’s not overpowering. I'm not a fan of cloying sweet lemonade so this fits me perfectly. If you like yours sweeter, then there should be enough simple syrup to sweeten it. The ginger and the thyme flavors are subtle, and the maple syrup gives a distinctive flavor like that of iced tea.

    If you want the ginger to be subtle, you could add sliced ginger instead of grated ginger in the infused maple simple syrup. Talking about infused simple syrup, be creative. Consider adding vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks, cloves, fresh or dried chiles, various citrus rinds like grapefruit or lime, mint or other fresh herbs, or even edible flowers like lavender or rose petals. And in your lemonade, consider adding cucumber for a unique twist.

    It’s also amazing mixed with iced tea or splashed with a little vodka, gin, whiskey, or alcohol of choice. Cheers to that!

    Make this Perfect Summer Thyme Drink Now!

    We can all agree that the sweet and sour flavors of real lemonade seem to hit the spot like nothing else on a hot day.

    But beware of which lemonade you choose as a refreshment. Commercial "old-fashioned" lemonade is often just as sugary as its colorless cousin.

    But the fresh kind made with natural sweeteners is a better candidate to quench your thirst.

    So mix yourself a batch of this lemonade. Be sure to add a lot of ice. (It’s best ice-cold.)

    Then sit outside on your porch, your patio, or your front steps and look forward to sunnier days, lazy summer afternoons and weekends.

    Or better yet, walk around the neighborhood, singing: « Rollin' down the street, smoking fresh air, sipping on lemon juice. Laid back (with my mind on my health and my health on my mind).

    Ginger and Thyme Lemonade Recipe

    Two glasses of lemonade in front of a small wood container of lemons

    If you try this recipe, I want to know about it! I always appreciate your feedback. Leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, or Instagram. Sign up for my email list, too!

    Two glasses of lemonade in front of a small wood container of lemons
    5 from 1 vote

    Ginger and Thyme Lemonade

    Make the perfect summer drink with infused flavors to invigorate you. With ginger and lemon thyme as your spices, you’ll have a unique lemonade. Give it a taste.
    Save RecipeSaved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time25 minutes mins
    Cook Time25 minutes mins
    Resting Time8 hours hrs
    Total Time8 hours hrs 50 minutes mins
    Course: Drink
    Cuisine: American, Canadian
    Keyword: ginger, lemons, thyme
    Servings: 4 -6
    Calories: 178kcal
    Author: Naïby

    Ingredients

    Infused Maple Simple Syrup

    • 1 cup water
    • ¾ cup maple syrup or agave or honey
    • 8 sprigs lemon thyme or regular thyme, divided
    • 1 tablespoon ginger grated (Notes)

    Lemonade

    • 4 cups water
    • ¾ cup lemon juice (from about 6 medium lemons)
    • 4 sprigs lemon thyme
    • Ginger slices for extra steeping (Notes)
    • Thyme for extra steeping and garnish
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions

    • First make the infused maple syrup: Combine water and maple syrup to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add ginger and sprigs thyme, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low heat, cover and simmer for about 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature for 25 minutes. Strain and refrigerate until further use.
    • In a large pitcher, add lemon juice and dilute it with water. Add ⅔ cup of the simple syrup mixture and reserve for later use.
    • Add the ginger slices, some lemon rinds, and lemon thyme to steep if desired. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Serve over ice with garnishes.

    Notes

    For a lighter ginger flavor, add 6 ¼-inch sliced ginger. In this case, you might need ginger slices for extra steeping in the lemonade.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 209mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 145IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @biting.intolife or tag #bitingintolife!

    Get Your Free Plant-Based Eating Toolkit and More

    Subscribe to my newsletter and unlock my plant-based course, nutrition charts, recipe secrets, and exclusive updates to prepare wholesome, varied & balanced meals effortlessly. All you need is a good appetite. Subscribe!

    Smiling girl with big afro sitting cross-legged on a sofa

    Hi there!

    I'm on a mission to help you get nutrient-dense, easy, and mouthwatering plant-based recipe ideas so you can feel stimulated, well-equipped, and confident to eat and cook better.

    Learn more about me →

    More Nutrient-Dense Plant-Based Recipes

    • BLACKSPRUT ONION
    • BLACKSPRUT DARKNET
    • BLACK SPRUT
    • BLACKSPRUT ONION

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Smiling girl with big afro sitting cross-legged on a sofa

    Whole plant-based food advocate, recipe developer, food stylist & photographer, dedicated to sharing nutrient-rich plant-based recipe ideas that will make you feel stimulated, well-equipped, and confident to cook and eat better.

    Learn More

    Hand rolling a cabbage leaf, reading the ultimate guide to plant-based eating, click here, get your free course now

    Fall Recipes

    • Tomato and bread soup in a bowl on a wooden board
      Scrape-the-Bowl Pappa Al Pomodoro
    • Creamy corn fusilli with green onions and basil in a cast-iron pan on a wooden board and other decorative items
      Melissa Clark's Creamy Corn Pasta {Vegan Version}
    • Pumpkin Banana Bread {Easy and Healthy}
    • Tofu sisig in a sizzling cast-iron skillet
      Tasty Filipino Tofu Sisig Recipe {Healthy & Simple}
    • Blueberry cobbler topped with ice cream in a bowl with baking pan in the back
      Healthy Vegan Blueberry Cobbler
    • Velvety Butternut Carrot Ginger Soup

    Popular Posts

    • Easy Haitian Rice and Beans (Diri Ak Pwa)
    • Simple and Creamy Coconut Milk Alfredo Sauce in Pasta (Vegan + Gluten-free)
    • Homemade vegan half-and-half in three small glass jars and in front of a small mason jar of coconut cream, all on a piece of jute
      The Best Vegan Half-and-Half
    • Vegan Soup Joumou (Haitian Squash Soup)
    • Two glasses of lemonade garnished with mint on a surface
      Easy Healthy Homemade Lemonade with Mint
    • Three small glass jars of garlic-infused oil, surrounded by decorative garlic bulbs, one of which contains garlic cloves cut in half and the others have only the oil
      Life-Changing Garlic-Infused Oil {Low FODMAP}

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    Unlock recipe secrets and exclusive updates to prepare irresistible & friendly meals. All you need is a good appetite.
    Subscribe!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • Press & Media

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Biting into Life

    25 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Mix
    • Flipboard
    • Email
    • Reddit
    • Français
    • English

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.