Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)
Quick Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 8 fresh thyme sprigs, plus more for garnish
- 3/4 cup freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice, from about 5 to 6 Meyer lemons
- 3 cups chilled sparkling water, 34 to 40 degrees F
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 1 Meyer lemon, thinly sliced, for garnish
Do This
- 1. Simmer sugar, water, and thyme for 5 minutes to make a thyme simple syrup.
- 2. Remove from heat and steep for 10 minutes, then strain and cool.
- 3. Juice the Meyer lemons and strain out seeds.
- 4. Fill 4 glasses with ice, lemon slices, and a thyme sprig.
- 5. Add 3 tablespoons thyme syrup and 3 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice to each glass.
- 6. Top each glass with 3/4 cup chilled sparkling water and stir gently.
- 7. Taste, adjust with more syrup or lemon juice if desired, and serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright and elegant: Meyer lemons bring a sweeter, more floral citrus flavor than regular lemons.
- Simple but special: A quick thyme syrup makes the drink feel polished without requiring any advanced technique.
- Perfect for entertaining: Make the syrup ahead, then build bubbly spritzers in minutes.
- Easy to customize: Keep it alcohol-free, or turn it into a light cocktail with gin, vodka, or prosecco.
Grocery List
- Produce: 6 to 7 Meyer lemons, 1 small bunch fresh thyme
- Dairy: None needed
- Pantry: Granulated sugar, sparkling water, ice
Full Ingredients
For the Thyme Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 8 fresh thyme sprigs, about 3 inches long each
For the Spritzers
- 3/4 cup freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice, from about 5 to 6 Meyer lemons
- 3 cups chilled sparkling water, preferably very cold, 34 to 40 degrees F
- 2 cups ice cubes
For Garnish
- 1 Meyer lemon, thinly sliced into rounds or half-moons
- 4 small fresh thyme sprigs
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the thyme simple syrup
In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 8 fresh thyme sprigs. Set the pan over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, about 200 degrees F, then reduce the heat slightly and simmer for 5 minutes. The syrup should look clear and lightly fragrant, not thick or caramel-colored.
Step 2: Steep and strain the syrup
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the thyme steep in the syrup for 10 minutes. This gives the drink a subtle herb flavor without making it taste grassy. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a heat-safe measuring cup or jar. Discard the cooked thyme sprigs and let the syrup cool for at least 15 minutes, or until it reaches room temperature.
Step 3: Juice the Meyer lemons
While the syrup cools, juice 5 to 6 Meyer lemons until you have 3/4 cup juice. Strain the juice through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds and excess pulp. Meyer lemons are naturally sweeter and more fragrant than standard lemons, so fresh juice makes a big difference in this simple drink.
Step 4: Prepare the glasses
Place 4 tall glasses on your work surface. Add about 1/2 cup ice to each glass. Tuck 1 to 2 Meyer lemon slices and 1 small fresh thyme sprig into each glass so the garnish is visible through the ice. This makes the spritzers look bright, fresh, and ready for serving.
Step 5: Add the lemon and thyme base
Pour 3 tablespoons cooled thyme simple syrup and 3 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice into each glass. If you prefer a tarter drink, add an extra 1 teaspoon Meyer lemon juice per glass. If you like it sweeter, add an extra 1 teaspoon thyme syrup per glass.
Step 6: Top with sparkling water
Slowly pour 3/4 cup chilled sparkling water into each glass. Pour gently down the side of the glass or over the back of a spoon to preserve as many bubbles as possible. Stir each drink once or twice with a long spoon, just enough to combine the syrup and lemon juice without flattening the fizz.
Step 7: Taste and serve
Serve the spritzers immediately while the sparkling water is lively and the ice is cold. For the prettiest finish, add one fresh Meyer lemon slice to the rim of each glass and lightly clap the thyme garnish between your hands before adding it; this releases its aroma without bruising it too much.
Pro Tips
- Use cold sparkling water: Very cold sparkling water, ideally 34 to 40 degrees F, keeps the drink crisp and helps the bubbles last longer.
- Do not over-steep the thyme: Ten minutes gives a gentle herbal note. Longer steeping can make the syrup taste woody or bitter.
- Roll the lemons before juicing: Press each Meyer lemon firmly on the counter and roll it for 5 to 10 seconds to help release more juice.
- Adjust at the glass: Meyer lemons vary in sweetness, so taste one finished spritzer before serving the full batch.
- Choose plain sparkling water: Unflavored sparkling water lets the Meyer lemon and thyme stay clean and elegant.
Variations
- Meyer Lemon Thyme Cocktail: Add 1 ounce gin or vodka to each glass before topping with sparkling water.
- Honey-Thyme Spritzer: Replace the granulated sugar with 1/3 cup mild honey. Warm gently with the water and thyme until fully dissolved, then steep and strain.
- Berry Citrus Spritzer: Muddle 2 fresh raspberries or 2 sliced strawberries in each glass before adding ice, syrup, and lemon juice.
Storage & Make-Ahead
The thyme simple syrup can be made up to 1 week ahead. Store it in a clean, airtight jar in the refrigerator at 40 degrees F or below. The Meyer lemon juice is best fresh, but it can be squeezed up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated in a covered container. Do not mix the full spritzers in advance, because the sparkling water will lose its bubbles. For parties, set out the chilled syrup, chilled lemon juice, ice, garnishes, and sparkling water, then assemble each drink just before serving.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 110 kcal | Carbs: 28g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 26g | Sodium: 8mg | Cholesterol: 0mg
