This Tequila Thyme Lemonade is a super simple summer cocktail made with homemade lemonade and fresh thyme. It's light and refreshing and perfect for enjoying in the sunshine!
(This recipe for Tequila Thyme Lemonade was originally published in April 2011, but was updated with new photos and content in 2020).
I am ALL about the summer cocktails this year. Considering I haven't been to a bar in about 150 days (wow!) and have basically been hanging out at home, homemade summer cocktails have been where it's at.
This tequila thyme lemonade is the ideal summer cocktail: quick and easy to make, super light and refreshing, and the perfect combination of sweet and tart. Plus, there's nothing artificial about it!
Whip up this tequila lemonade in just 5 minutes and spend the afternoon hanging out in the sunshine. For even greater bright, happy impact, enjoy your cocktail with some of my favorite lemon cookies!
Tequila Thyme Lemonade Recipe
This tequila lemonade recipe just makes one cocktail, but it's easy to multiply to make more. You could also make a bit pitcher of it if desired, though I think it looks a lot prettier when made in individual glasses.
I initially used a recipe from Martha Stewart Living, but found it to be super strong and not very lemonade-like, so in addition to muddling the lemon wedges, I've added freshly squeezed lemon juice to the cocktail.
To make, simply add three thyme sprigs and two lemon wedges to a glass, along with 1 tsp sugar.
Muddle together. If you're in the market for a good muddler, I highly recommend this one (affiliate link)
Then, add 3 oz. tequila, 1 ½ oz. cold water, 2 ½ oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice, and ice.
Garnish with additional lemon rounds and thyme sprigs if desired.
This tequila thyme lemonade is refreshingly delicious and just perfect for some summer afternoon sipping.
Of course, you could use ready-made lemonade if desired and simply muddle some thyme into it and omit the sugar. But in my personal opinion, homemade lemonade is just so much more refreshing.
If you're not a fan of thyme, I also think basil would be delicious in this drink. You could also use rosemary or parsley. And if you wanted to switch the lemonade to limeade, well, I think that would work wonderfully, too.
This tequila lemonade makes me want to have some sort of garden party, despite the fact that I don't have a garden. But it just looks like the kind of pretty cocktail that should be served with little sandwiches and cookies.
But don't let your guest be fooled because this drink packs a very powerful punch. That 3 oz. of tequila is nothing to mess with. But combined with the slightly sweet slightly tart homemade lemonade with the lovely essence of thyme, it's the best combination.
I love drinks made with simple ingredients that are tasty and refreshing. And so, so easy to make at home.
Have you been making cocktails at home more often lately?
If you're looking for more easy-to-make-at-home summer cocktails, try my Tropical Gin Sunrise and my Blueberry Vodka Lemonade. I also can't wait to try this Peach Rosé Sangria from Stress Eating!
Tequila Thyme Lemonade
Ingredients
- 3 sprigs thyme
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 2 lemn wedges
- 3 oz. silver/blanco tequila
- 1 ½ oz. cold water
- 2 ½ tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
Instructions
- Add thyme sprigs, sugar, and lemon wedges to a glass and muddle together.
- Add tequila, cold water, lemon juice, and ice and stir.
- Garnish with additional lemon rounds and thyme sprigs, if desired.
Notes
- Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart Living
emily @ the happy home says
yummmm. that looks so light and refreshing! i love the way fresh herbs taste in cocktails-- much better than "herbal" liquor like jager. eww.
Simply Life says
sounds like a pretty perfect Friday!
Manda says
Lemon and thyme are always perfect together, so adding tequila makes it extra delicious! This is a great summer drink.
Kelly says
I almost believe you that you didn't take the day off JUST to watch the royal wedding, but not quite. 🙂
Meighan @ Cooking With Abandon says
I am really enjoying the Friday cocktails! I have made the strawberry Mojitos a few times now! It's a great idea to try out new cocktails instead of the same boring ones!
Bee says
I'm always fascinated with flavor combos like this. Usually, I don't like thyme. I avoid it most times, but this combination intrigues me. I feel like it would blend well with the lemon. Next time I willingly buy tequilla and thyme (would be odd I think, haha), I'll keep this in mind. Definitely would need some club soda or something though.
Kerstin says
Love this flavor combo - so fancy! Wish I was enjoying one right now 🙂
Michelle says
Hope you have a great time in Ogunquit...wait, is that where your wedding venue is?!
Susan says
I love the idea of adding the thyme sprig. I usually have to add a little triple sec to sweeten my margs a tad more.
Sues says
@Michelle- We're getting married married at the Colonnade in Boston! 🙂
Candice says
Sounds awesome! I'm goingto try this with Lemon Thyme!
My go-to drink lately has been a spiked Arnold Palmer. Jeremiah Weed makes this amazing Sweet Tea infused vodka, I mix that with juice from a whole lemon and add a little water and ice cubes...totally yummy!
Susan says
That looks so fresh and delicious! Hope you had a great weekend!
Kelly says
My favorite drink right now is a pom saktini from a Japanese restaurant at the Cape. It's been my favorite drink for awhile but nothing else seems to compare. This definitely sounds good though!
I wasn't obsessed with the wedding by any means, but I did watch a little during breakfast. I really just think that William, Kate and Harry (despite is bad rep) are all awesome people, and deal with things really well- so I enjoy watching them be happy. There are so few big world things to be excited about so I think it's nice to be excited about this 🙂
emily says
after my friday, i think i could have used that drink. 😉
mojitos are definitely my fave summer drink. i can't wait until it warms up, and i can drink one outside!
Emily @ A Cambridge Story says
Fantastic drink idea! I'd love to try this with gin 🙂
Maris (In Good Taste) says
It may not be Friday anymore but I must try this drink!
Daisy says
as someone who recently got into sipping tequila straight, (once in awhile - it's fun!) I think I'd like this drink! the other drinks about town sound fantastic as well.
Juliana says
Wow, I have all the ingredients...will definitely try this awesome combination. Looks delicious! Have a great week ahead 🙂
Cooking with Coley says
This drink looks so tasty and perfect for a warm spring day - which we've been lucky enough to have in Boston - yay! I love Church's Envy - it's a fresh kiwi and vodka martini. So good!
C Payne says
Tried this with Lime Juice as a substitute. Was very impressed. Thank you for this recipe. Looks like a drink to serve when I have guests I'd like to impress.