Thyme Simple Syrup
Learn how to make homemade Thyme Simple Syrup with just 3-ingredients. This infusion is perfect for elevating iced tea, cocktails, baked goods, and more with sweet, citrusy, and herbaceous flavors.
Fresh thyme has a delicate, earthy taste with mint and citrus-laced aromas. The blend of sweet and herby flavors infused with simple syrup makes hot and iced beverages, cocktails, and mocktails extra special.
You’ll LOVE this thyme simple syrup because:
- It’s very easy to make and has only 3 ingredients.
- This is a great way to keep an excess of fresh herbs from going to waste.
- Thyme syrup is seriously DELICIOUS in iced tea, lemonade, and cocktails.
Ready to learn how to make thyme simple syrup? Let’s do it!
🌿 Ingredients
You’ll only need 3 ingredients to make thyme-infused syrup.
- Water – Sugar is dissolved in water to make a simple syrup. The mixture is then infused with herbs. For the freshest tasting flavor and to maximize the shelf-life, use filtered or distilled water.
- Sugar – For your basic simple syrup, granulated and caster sugar are best, though you can also use brown sugar. The added molasses in brown sugar adds subtle toffee notes.
- Thyme Leaves – Thyme has an earthy and bright flavor that improves savory and sweet flavors. The distinct aroma enhances the sweetness of drinks and cocktails. It’s the perfect flavor for simple syrup!
- Recommended tools – You’ll need a medium saucepan and a fine-mesh strainer.
🥣 How to make (step-by-step photos)
1️⃣ Step One: Dissolve sugar in water
First, add the water and sugar to a medium saucepan, then bring the liquid to a simmer over medium heat. Continue to simmer, stirring often, until the sugar dissolves and the liquid thickens.
2️⃣ Step Two: Steep thyme leaves
Add the thyme and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Then, remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside, allowing the thyme to steep for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Taste periodically to gauge how much longer it needs to steep for the flavor to be as strong as you like.
3️⃣ Step Three: Strain and store
Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve and into a sanitized jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Let cool completely before securing the top and storing it in the refrigerator for two weeks.
Questions + quick tips
- Do not heat the water and sugar mixture past a simmer. The sugar may overcook, and the thyme can become bitter-tasting.
- Save yourself the extra step of straining loose thyme leaves and steep the sprigs in a tea infuser instead.
Dried herbs are trickier to use in infusions as the leaves are delicate and tougher to strain. To make with dried thyme, fill a silicone tea infuser or reusable tea bags with dried thyme and steep until the flavor is as strong as you like.
Essentially any fresh herb can be infused with simple syrup. Try rosemary, mint, thyme, bay leaf, or a delicious combination of fresh herbs. For example, check out sage-infused simple syrup here.
Thyme simple syrup is a great way to elevate your iced teas, lemonades, and cocktails with a dynamic fresh herbal flavor. To intensify the sweet flavors, you can also drizzle it over top of baked goods and sweet treats.
🫐 Variations
Double up on flavors and create a simple flavored syrup with thyme and fruit. Be sure to strain out any loose bits of fruit and herbs before storing.
- Cranberry-thyme simple syrup – Cook fresh cranberries until they begin to burst, using a fork to smash the berries gently. Add water and sugar and simmer before steeping the thyme. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer before storing.
- Blueberry-thyme simple syrup – Add thyme sprigs to the saucepan while making this simple blueberry syrup.
- Lemon-thyme simple syrup – Add 1-2 quartered lemons to the pot while the syrup simmers.
- Honey-thyme simple syrup – Swap the sugar for honey! Instead of lavender, use sprigs or thyme following this honey simple syrup recipe.
🥤How to serve
Looking for ways to use thyme simple syrup?
- Enhance sparkling water. Add a splash to sparkling water or club soda with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Embellish fruit desserts. Thyme pairs well with tart fruits and berries. Try drizzling it over strawberry ice cream, lemon cake, and blueberry pie.
Thyme simple syrup cocktails
If you make thyme simple syrup, you MUST try one of these thyme-infused craft cocktails (each recipe makes one serving):
- Blackberry Thyme Old Fashioned: Muddle 4 to 5 fresh blackberries with a 1/2 tablespoon of thyme simple syrup and a splash of water. Then, add ice and add 1.5 ounces of your favorite bourbon. Stir to combine.
- Thyme Cosmo: Shake 1.5 ounces of citrus vodka with 1/2 tablespoon of thyme syrup and 2 ounces of cranberry juice. Strain into a martini glass.
- Gin & Thyme Cooler: Combine 1.5 ounces of your favorite gin, 1/2 tablespoon of the syrup, and 1/2 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice with tonic or club soda.
🧊 How to store
To make the most out of the shelf-life of herb-infused syrups:
- Refrigerator storage: Pour syrup into a sanitized glass container with a tight-fitted lid and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer storage: This can be frozen for up to 2 months and thawed when you need it. Freeze extra into cubes and keep them in a freezer-safe bag to add a touch of sweet thyme as needed.
More simple syrup flavors
Looking for more infused syrups? Check these out.
- Chai Tea Simple Syrup
- Lemongrass Simple Syrup
- Cilantro Lime Simple Syrup
- Pear Simple Syrup
- Jalapeno Infused Simple Syrup
Thyme Simple Syrup
Equipment
- 1 Saucepan
- 1 fine-mesh strainer
- 1 glass jar or bottle
Ingredients
- 1 cup water filtered or distilled
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup thyme leaves
Instructions
- Add the water and sugar to a medium saucepan, then bring the liquid to a simmer over medium heat.
- Continue to simmer, stirring often, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the liquid begins to thicken.
- Add the thyme leave and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Then, remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside, allowing the thyme to steep for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Taste periodically to gauge how much longer it needs to steep for the flavor to be your preferred intensity.
- Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve and into a clean jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid.
- Let cool completely before closing the lid and storing it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Fresh or dried thyme? We recommend fresh thyme over dried thyme because the flavor will be stronger and more potent. However, you can use 1-2 tablespoons of dried thyme leaves to make simple syrup, just use a very fine mesh strainer to remove the herb before storing.
