Make my refreshing spring thyme mocktail quickly and easily with seasonal flavors and a bubbly finish! This zero-proof beverage is light and juicy with notes of herbs, flowers, and bright citrus fruit. Let me show you how to make it in minutes for one or even spring mocktails in a pitcher for your whole crew.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my grapefruit mint mocktail, too!
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❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
Quick and Easy - You only need five minutes to craft your own spring dream mocktail at home. And if you don't have bartending tools, don't worry! I have substitution ideas for you down below.
Alcohol-Free and Flavor-Full - Just because this is a virgin spritz mocktail doesn't mean it's bland or overly sweet. You'll taste sweet and earthy honeyed thyme, tart grapefruit, light elderflower, and cooling green tea. It's fun and family-friendly but sophisticated enough that adults love this one even more than kids, honestly.
I love mixing up non-alcoholic drink ideas for each season and occasion so that everyone in my circle can enjoy. Check out my lychee pineapple mocktail, blood orange mocktail smash, the Chapman drink, hibiscus ginger beer, and frozen piña colada mocktails next!
What You'll Need for this Recipe
Grapefruit Juice creates that pretty spring sunset kind of color. Use either fresh-squeezed juice or bottled or canned from the grocery store. One small ruby red or pink grapefruit will produce more than enough juice for this recipe.
Strong Green Tea mimics the bitter earthiness that some spirits have to give this drink some complexity. Just brew two of your favorite green tea bags in one cup of hot water to achieve this.
Elderflower Tonic Water is the only slightly uncommon ingredient so I'll link to elderflower tonic at Target, elderflower tonic on Instacart, and elderflower tonic from Amazon, in case you have trouble finding it near you.
Thyme Syrup adds sweetness and herby flavor to the mix so I don't recommend skipping it. Use my homemade thyme syrup for the best results!
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
Citrus - I love grapefruit here but you can substitute by using orange juice. Fresh-squeezed Cara Cara orange juice is fabulous in this recipe!
Turn it into a Cocktail - The flavors in this drink work well with just about any kind of liquor, including gin, tequila, rum, cognac, and whiskey. If you want to add lighter spirits instead, try elderflower liqueur or a splash of sparkling wine.
Get into my spring spritz cocktail for a similar flavor profile!
How to Make a Spring Time Mocktail
- Step 1: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice then pour in the tea, juice, and syrup.
- Step 2: Seal and shake then strain over fresh ice.
Pro Tip #1
If you don't have a jigger to measure the liquids, a regular old shotglass will work instead. And if you don't have a cocktail shaker, stir the mixture in a highball glass then pour it through a mesh strainer or a colander!
- Step 3: Garnish as desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
To batch this drink into a spring punch mocktail, fill a pitcher or punch bowl halfway with ice then pour in eight ounces of strong green tea, six ounces of grapefruit juice, four ounces of thyme syrup, and 12 ounces of elderflower tonic water. Stir then garnish with edible flowers and fresh thyme leaves, if desired. Serves four.
How to Serve
This easy spring mocktail is best enjoyed ice cold and I like to serve it over heaps of crushed ice or pebble ice for a pretty presentation!
Garnish with fresh or dried edible flowers, sprigs of thyme, and slices of fresh grapefruit to take it over the top. This is a great spring brunch party drink for Mother's Day, Easter, or even baby showers.
Complete your brunch menu with indulgent Gulf shrimp and grits or elegant bacon cheddar kale quiche, red breakfast potatoes, fluffy buttermilk biscuits, and lemony blueberry poppy seed muffins!
More Favorite Mocktail Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
I hope you'll enjoy this spring garden mocktail soon and very soon. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
📖 Recipe
Spring Thyme Mocktail
Equipment
- 1 jigger or shot glass
- 1 Cocktail Shaker or highball glass, spoon, and mesh strainer
- 1 highball glass
- 1 spoon
Ingredients
- ice
- 2 ounces strong green tea* cooled
- 1 ½ ounce grapefruit juice
- 1 ounce thyme syrup
- 3 ounces elderflower tonic water
- fresh thyme, grapefruit slice, and edible flowers optional garnish
Instructions
- Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice then pour in green tea, grapefruit juice, and thyme syrup.ice, 2 ounces strong green tea*, 1 ½ ounce grapefruit juice, 1 ounce thyme syrup
- Seal and shake cocktail shaker until chilled to the touch (5 seconds), then strain into glass over fresh ice.
- Top up with elderflower tonic water and gently stir then garnish with fresh thyme, a grapefruit slice, and edible flowers to serve.3 ounces elderflower tonic water, fresh thyme, grapefruit slice, and edible flowers
Notes
-
Add 1 cup water, 1 cup honey, and 1 bunch of fresh thyme to a small saucepan over medium heat.
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Stir until honey dissolves then bring to a boil.
-
Remove from heat and allow to cool fully then remove the thyme. Makes about 16 servings.
Sara says
Hello, I would love to make this but we don't have elderflower tonic water here, even online. But funnily enough there's the same brand in the Mediterranean and Premium Indian flavors, would any of those work?
Jazzmine Woodard says
Hi, Sara! You could use an unflavored tonic water + elderflower syrup, cordial, or extract to achieve the same flavor profile. But I don't recommend using a different flavor tonic water if you're after the same taste. Hope this helps you!