Thyme Syrup
Bar Prep • syrup
Description
A lightly herbal simple syrup made by infusing fresh thyme into a 1:1 sugar-and-water syrup. Adds clean, savory-herb notes to cocktails, lemonades, tea, and mocktails.
History
Herb-infused syrups are a long-standing technique to concentrate botanical flavors for beverages. Thyme syrup became popular in modern cocktail culture for its aromatic, savory profile that pairs well with citrus and spirits.
Instructions
Step 1.
1) Prepare ingredients: 1 cup (240 ml) water, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 6–8 sprigs fresh thyme (or 2 tsp dried).
Step 2.
2) Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture just comes to a simmer (do not boil vigorously).
Step 3.
3) Remove the pan from the heat. Add the thyme sprigs, pressing lightly with a spoon to release oils.
Step 4.
4) Cover and steep for 20–30 minutes for a moderate flavor; steep up to 1 hour for a stronger thyme note. Taste and adjust steep time as desired.
Step 5.
5) Remove the thyme sprigs and strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve (or cheesecloth) into a clean container. Press the herbs gently to extract extra liquid if desired.
Step 6.
6) Cool to room temperature, then seal and refrigerate. Label with the date.
Step 7.
7) Optional: for a richer, thicker syrup and longer shelf life, use a 2:1 sugar-to-water ratio (2 cups sugar to 1 cup water) and follow the same process.
Storage
Store refrigerated in a clean, airtight container or bottle. Use within 14 days for 1:1 syrup; a 2:1 rich syrup can last up to ~30 days refrigerated. Discard if syrup develops mold, off smells, or cloudiness beyond normal sediment.