Delicious, sweet herb flavor infused in this thyme simple syrup is a lovely foundation for a light soda, cocktail, or addition to lemonade or iced tea. Sweetened with stevia instead of sugar, this recipe is a guilt-free treat.
vegan • sugar free • gluten free • easy
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If you're suspicious of a thyme and sweet simple syrup combo, I just ask that you don't knock it until you try it! Thyme has a fresh, earthy essence, but it's subtle enough that it pairs well with other flavors. We really let thyme shine in this recipe, and the sweetness just takes it to another level. This flavored simple syrup is the perfect foundation for a cocktail, mocktail, addition to lemonade, or a simple soda.
We love strawberry top simple syrup and strawberry basil simple syrup for summertime recipes, but this thyme simple syrup is perfect any time of year!
📝 quick recipe overview
- Skill level: Beginner
- Taste: Sweet, fresh, earthy
- Waste: Low waste
- Sustainability: Very sustainable
- Cleanup: Light
- Ingredients: Common, easy to source
- Equipment: Simple
- Time: Less than 30 minutes
- Consistency: Liquid slightly thickened
- Kid-friendly: Yes, but use caution with stovetop
❤️ what you'll love about this thyme simple syrup
Easy to make with common ingredients. This simple syrup is almost as easy as they come, and ready in just 30 minutes. You only need four ingredients for a truly delicious treat.
Delicious combination of sweet and subtly earthy flavors. I wish you could taste this through the screen! What may seem like a unique flavor combination is really one of the most fun pairings that adds a boost of refreshing flavor to your drinks, desserts...you name it. The thyme is fresh and adds some earthy notes to a syrup sweetened by stevia.
Sweetened with stevia instead of sugar. While we don't exclude sugar from everything, I love sharing alternative options to reduce sugar intake. If there's a way to choose a more sustainable option that reduces the amount of sugar we consume in a day, I'm the first one to share it. This is sweet without sugar, so you don't miss it. Now, that's delicious!
🥣 ingredient notes
Fresh thyme sprigs. There is no need to remove leaves from the stems. Be sure to wash thoroughly before using, especially if you're using fresh sprigs from your garden. I loosely pack a measuring cup with the thyme sprigs by gently pushing them into the cup and allowing them to bend, creating a bit of a bird's nest appearance. You can follow the weight measurements included in the recipe for more specific guidance, if preferred!
Water. If you have access to filtered water, it's the best option for avoiding any discoloration or flavor issues that could materialize if the water has impurities. If you like your tap water, though, that's fine!
Stevia extract. This recipe was originally developed with Truvia, but has since been edited with quantities for pure stevia extract...which is much sweeter.
If using Truvia, I recommend using 1 ½ tablespoons as opposed to the ¼ teaspoon called for in the recipe.
The best approach with stevia is to start small and add more as needed.
Arrowroot powder (optional). To thicken the syrup, we use arrowroot powder. Traditional simple syrup relies on granulated sugar to thicken the mixture as it reduces. Since this is a sugar-free recipe, we incorporate arrowroot powder to achieve a similar consistency.
🚨 Note: You may want a thicker syrup, and you can thicken by adding more arrowroot powder during the last step. Create a slurry, add to the warm liquid, stir, and allow to simmer for 5-10 more minutes or until you reach the desired consistency.
🔪 equipment notes
Small or medium saucepan. A good quality, heavy-bottomed pan is always preferred. Here is the brand we've loved for the past nine years: Sur La Table Stainless Steel Saucepan (affiliate link). I use an even smaller saucepan that's part of the same set and it works well.
Fine mesh strainer. Use this to strain the liquid and remove thyme.
Spatula or spoon. Stir the liquid occasionally with each step using a spoon or spatula. I prefer this spatula from Earlywood (affiliate link).
Measuring cups and spoons.
🧑🏽🍳 instruction notes
View the below instructions for details on how to make thyme simple syrup:
Simmer fresh thyme sprigs and water. I suggest bringing the water and thyme to a gentle boil and as soon as the water boils, reduce the heat to a simmer.
Strain the liquid to remove thyme sprigs. Allow the liquid to cool for a few minutes if you're straining into a glass container. If any small thyme leaves fell off the stems and are sticking to the side of the saucepan, go ahead and rinse the saucepan. We will use it again.
Add stevia extract and arrowroot powder. Stir in the stevia, which should dissolve almost immediately in the warm liquid. Dissolve the arrowroot powder in a small bowl with a small amount of water (creating a slurry) and stir that into the thyme simple syrup.
The simple syrup will appear cloudy at first; this is normal.
Simmer this mixture until liquid becomes mostly clear and achieves a thicker consistency. Heat the liquid until the arrowroot powder dissolves and becomes almost clear. If you watch the bubbles in the saucepan (it should be a gentle simmer), you should see how they move more slowley as the arrowroot powder thickens.
Carefully taste the simple syrup and make any necessary adjustments:
- Add sweetness: Stir in more stevia extract in small amounts to create a sweeter finished product. Note: If using Truvia, I suggest adding in ½ teaspoon increments until you achieve the desired level of sweetness.
- Thicken: If you would like a thicker simple syrup, add arrowroot powder in ¼ or ½ teaspoon increments and allow to simmer for a few minutes before determining if you should add more. Continuing to thicken and allowing the simple syrup to simmer will reduce your final amount of thyme simple syrup. As written, the recipe produces 1 cup.
Cool and serve immediately or store in an airtight container. Avoid pouring a simmering liquid directly into a glass container to avoid cracking the glass, which is why cooling is so important. Liquid can be warm, just not as hot as when it was simmering.
Recipe
Thyme Simple Syrup
Equipment
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1½ cups water 366g, filtered water preferred but optional
- ½ cup fresh thyme 5g, washed before simmering, include sprigs
- ¼ teaspoon pure stevia extract 1g, or stevia extract of your choosing (see notes for details)
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder 2g, used for thickening and optional
Instructions
- Add water and thyme sprigs to a saucepan and bring to a gentle boil before reducing to a simmer and allowing to simmer for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.1½ cups water, ½ cup fresh thyme
- Remove saucepan from heat and allow to cool slightly. Strain thyme sprigs out of water. If needed, rinse the saucepan to remove any leftover thyme leaves and return to stovetop.
- Add the thyme-water mixture back to the saucepan and stir in stevia extract. Dissolve arrowroot powder in a small amount of water and stir into saucepan.¼ teaspoon pure stevia extract, 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder
- Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer over low-medium heat for another 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You should see the liquid thicken slightly.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool before serving or transferring to an airtight container for storage in the refrigerator. See additional details in post for storage instructions.
Video
Notes
- This recipe was originally developed using Truvia, but in an effort to switch to pure stevia, was rewritten with different quantities. Pure stevia is much sweeter than Truvia.
- If using Truvia, I recommend 1 ½ tablespoons.
- For those who prefer sugar, please consider organic cane sugar to keep the recipe vegan and more eco-friendly. Use equal parts water and sugar, which would be 1 ½ cups granulated sugar for this recipe.
- Stevia is a more environmentally-friendly sweetener compared to cane sugar.
- If you can source thyme from your own garden, do so!
- Simple syrup can be sensitive to off flavors in water, so filtered water is recommended for consistent results. Unless you need distilled water for some reason, filtered water typically requires less electricity for production.
Nutrition
🍽️ how to serve
Lemon-thyme soda. My new favorite drink is now lemon thyme soda, with this thyme simple syrup serving as the foundation. Add ¼ cup simple syrup to your glass, infuse a small amount of fresh lemon juice (about ¼ - ½ teaspoon), add ice, pour sparkling water to fill the glass, and complete with a fresh lemon slice. This drink is incredibly refreshing and perfect any time of year.
Cocktails and mocktails. The sweet notes are subtle and earthy flavor is just noticeable enough to enhance your favorite cocktail or mocktail. I love this idea for incorporating thyme simple syrup into a fall and winter drink menu.
Lemonade and iced tea. Add some of this simple syrup into your lemonade or iced tea for a little sweet, a little herby, and a fresh addition. This adds depth of flavor to classic summertime drinks.
Vegan ice cream topping. If you like the flavor of herbs, try topping some vegan vanilla ice cream with the syrup for a unique twist!
Infused into baked goods. Infuse this into sweet breads, icing, shortbread cookies, and any baked good where you can let the herb flavor shine! It will do best as the star of the show. I wouldn't recommend pairing this with a chocolatey dessert, for example.
🧊 storage
Refrigerator. Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 2 weeks. Flavored simple syrup can change flavor over time and arrowroot powder can lose its thickening power as it rests.
Freezer. A popular freezing method is pouring into ice cube trays, freezing, and then transferring the cubes into a freezer-safe container for storage up to 3 months. When ready to use, simply select your cubes and allow them to thaw before incorporating into your recipe.
✅ acceptable substitutions and variations
Different types of stevia extract. See the above instructions for details about how to substitute with other types of stevia extract, since the sweetness level between brands can vary.
Organic cane sugar instead of stevia extract. Traditional simple syrup recipes rely on sugar in a 1:1 ratio. For this recipe, you would need to use 1 ½ cups of sugar. Choose organic cane sugar to keep this recipe vegan, and you do get bonus points if you choose a brand that incorporates regenerative farming practices, like this from Florida Crystals (affiliate link).
♻️ sustainability profile
sourcing
Stevia instead of organic cane sugar is a more sustainable choice! According to the National Institutes of Health, a study following a large stevia producer showed "an 82% reduction in carbon footprint for stevia compared with beet sugar and a 64% reduction compared with cane sugar." Dive deeper with the article here.
When possible, grow your own thyme. Sourcing your thyme sprigs from the garden is the most sustainable choice. You can grow this herb indoors or outdoors. If you're unable to grow your own, see what's available from a local farmer's market. However, purchasing at your grocery store is a viable option.
Filtered water. Some simple syrup recipes call for the use of distilled water for the most neutral flavor and consistent results. However, distilling water takes a lot of electricity and isn't considered the most sustainable option. Using filtered water is less resource-heavy and if you have a home filtration system, that is my recommendation for simple syrup recipes. However, if your tap water typically tastes neutral, you can absolutely use it to make simple syrup.
waste
Low waste. When you're done with the thyme sprigs, toss them in your home compost! The rest of the ingredients are consumed as part of the recipe, creating no additional waste.
❓ frequently asked questions
What is thyme syrup used for?
Thyme syrup, or thyme simple syrup, is a delicious way to infuse this garden-favorite herb into cocktails, mocktails, homemade sodas, and even baked goods. Stir it into a tea, lemonade, or mix into vegan powdered sugar for a unique frosting flavor! Some enjoy adding thyme to their menu thanks to its potential medicinal benefits, which is outlined in this Healthline article. Of course, we are not making any medical or nutritional claims, and each person should consult their healthcare provider for more information.
Is it cheaper to make your own simple syrup?
Yes, it is cheaper to make your own simple syrup. At the time of this post, store bought versions are several dollars a bottle. If we estimate the cost of simple syrup from the grocery store is five dollars per approximately 3 cups, the equivalent of a home cook making the same amount with organic cane sugar would be approximately less than three dollars, or even better. When making flavored simple syrup, finding creative flavors from your own garden or even food scraps like strawberry tops is more cost effective than purchasing flavored versions at the store.
Should you let simple syrup cool before pouring it in a different container?
Yes, be cautious when transferring hot liquid to a different container. If storing simple syrup in a glass container, which is recommended, avoid letting very hot liquid come in contact with the glass. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before gently pouring into your storage container.
Should I use distilled water for simple syrup?
Using distilled water is not a requirement to make simple syrup, but it is important to remember that the type of water you use can have an impact on the flavor of your homemade simple syrup. Filtered water, if available, is an option that removes impurities that could affect taste while leaving some minerals. Distilled water has been boiled to remove every impurity and mineral, so is pure water. Both filtered and distilled can help extend the shelf life of syrup. While you can make simple syrup with regular tap water, opt for filtered or distilled water for most consistent results and if your home experiences hard water. Keep in mind that filtered water from home filtration systems is more sustainable than distilled water due to the high electricity use of the distillation process.
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