From a Salty Dog to a Margarita, these 15 BEST thyme cocktails are full of bright, woodsy flavor from the aromatic herb—they’re perfect for the at-home mixologist!
Mixologists and bartenders are always looking for new, exciting flavors to add to their cocktails.
And what better way to do that than with herbs?
Herbs like lavender, rosemary, and cinnamon can add a beautiful, fragrant touch to any cocktail.
That fresh layer of flavor can really take a drink to the next level.
With so many different herbs and so many possibilities, the combinations are endless.
But thyme is one herb that I think deserves a little more attention.
With an earthy musk that pairs well with both citrus and botanical spirits, thyme is a versatile ingredient for crafting cocktails.
Here are 15 unique thyme cocktails that can really open your eyes to the possibilities of what this herb can do.
#12 is particularly thyme-forward and perfect for any thyme lover.
That sweet, caramel flavor of bourbon whiskey is already a time-honored classic.
But adding a sprig of thyme to the mix can really bring out the bourbon’s flavor and aroma.
To make this Old Fashioned-inspired drink, muddle a thyme sprig with simple syrup and bitters.
Then add your favorite bourbon and stir.
For an extra thyme-forward twist, add the herb to your simple syrup recipe.
Just infuse thyme into the boiling sugar water and let it steep for a couple of minutes.
This thyme-themed twist on a Salty Dog is a revelation.
The thyme provides a beautiful, fragrant garnish and also adds a subtle pep to the mixture.
Salty Dogs are typically made with gin, grapefruit juice, and a salted rim.
But this recipe calls for vodka to really let the bitter grapefruit and earthy thyme shine through.
This combination sets the thyme front and center without being too overbearing.
To make this concoction, simply combine vodka, grapefruit juice, and thyme simple syrup in a shaker filled with ice.
Then strain into a salt-rimmed glass and garnish with a thyme sprig or grapefruit wedge.
Limoncello is a delicious, tart Italian liqueur with a zesty citrus zing.
Pair this with the woodsy flavor of thyme, and you have a thyme twist on a classic gin and tonic.
To make this beverage, start by grilling thyme sprig so that it’s slightly charred.
Doing this will help to bring out the floral undertones of the thyme.
Then, combine gin, limoncello, and lime juice in a shaker filled with ice.
Muddle the thyme sprig in the mixture and then strain it into a rocks glass, thyme sprig and all.
These thyme-infused mixed drinks are perfect for summertime sipping.
They’re light, refreshing, and colorful—everything you want in a summer alcoholic beverage.
Both the taste of strawberry and thyme will be in this beverage’s simple syrup.
So, be sure to give the thyme time to really infuse into the syrup.
You can then add it to lime juice and any spirit of your choice for a pretty and delicious thyme-inspired mixture.
Top it off with a strawberry thyme garnish, and enjoy.
This recipe has got all the classic elements of a gin fizz—gin, lemon juice, soda water—with the addition of fresh blueberries and thyme.
The blueberries help to add a little sweetness and color to the drink.
And thyme, of course, brings its earthy edge to the party.
This is an alcoholic creation that you’ll want to make again and again.
Yes, it’s really as delicate and lovely as it sounds.
This Thyme & Elderflower French Gimlet is the perfect beverage for happy hour with the girls.
It’s got all the flavor of thyme with the added floral notes of elderflower liqueur.
The thyme simple syrup in this recipe really lets the herb’s taste take center stage.
And the elderflower liqueur helps to round out the thyme’s flavor with its own slightly musky, floral notes.
This pink-colored mixed drink is a real show-stopper.
It’s got all the rich, earthy bite of thyme paired with the sweetness of figs.
The taste is herbaceous and sweet with a slight bitterness from the thyme.
Not to mention, the coral-pink color is absolutely gorgeous and tempting.
A fall-themed touch on a classic whiskey smash, this is perfect for all your autumnal gatherings.
The woodsy notes of thyme, the sweetness of apples, the tangy taste of lemon juice, and the comforting mix of caramel and cinnamon all come together in this thyme cocktail.
Add this explosion of fall flavors to bourbon, and you’ve got a beverage that’s sure to be a hit.
It doesn’t get more autumnal than this.
Plus, this apple, thyme, and bourbon combo look just as good as it tastes with its lovely color too.
A rejuvenating twist on your summertime treat, this thyme refreshment is perfect for sipping poolside.
It’s got all the tartness of regular lemonade but with the added aroma and relish of thyme.
The freshness of the thyme really comes through in this recipe and gives the lemonade a delicious herby bite.
So, if you’re looking for a thyme-themed beverage that’s both refreshing and flavorful, look no further than this Vodka Thyme Lemonade.
The vodka, of course, is there to give the blend a little bit of a buzz.
But you could easily leave it out if you want a thyme-lemonade mocktail instead.
Vermouth and gin are a classic combination.
Herby and aromatic on their own, they make for a spectacular combination in this liquid refreshment.
The thyme in this recipe really complements the botanical edge of both the vermouth and gin.
So, if you’re looking for a concoction that’s truly unique, give this Aficionado cocktail recipe a try.
It’s simple but complex, and it’s sure to become one of your new favorites.
Capture the essence of fall in a glass with this easy Apple Cider Sangria.
It’s got all the flavors of autumn—cinnamon, apples, thyme, and wine.
The thyme in this recipe really helps to bring out the taste of the apple cider and cinnamon.
It’s easy to make and a whole lot more enjoyable to drink.
So, if you’re looking for a thyme cocktail that tastes like fall, this easy Apple Cider Sangria is a perfect choice.
You can’t go wrong with a refreshing, tall glass of margarita.
But if you’re looking to add a thyme twist to your next mixed drink, try this Blackberry Thyme Margarita recipe.
It’s got all the same familiar relish of a traditional margarita—tequila, lime juice, and salt—but with the addition of fresh blackberries and thyme.
The thyme in this recipe really helps to bring out the sweetness of the blackberries.
To give this drink a fancy touch, rim the glasses with sugar before adding the margarita mix.
This recipe features the unique flavors of rhubarb and grapefruit, a thyme-inspired mix with a tart edge.
The herb complements the grapefruit’s sourness while letting the rhubarb’s sweetness come through.
It’s a concoction that is as charming to look at as it is delicious to drink.
So, if you’re looking for a thyme concoction that’s both beautiful and tasty, try this rhubarb, grapefruit, and thyme recipe.
This mixture is simple and straightforward to make—but it doesn’t taste nor look that way.
It looks elegant and tastes even better with the thyme complementing the kumquat’s sweetness.
A bit of sweetness and some spice add various dimensions to the drink.
So, if you’re looking for a thyme beverage that’s both sophisticated and tasty, try this kumquat & thyme vodka recipe.
This tropical alcoholic treat is perfect for any time of year.
It’s got all the sweetness of a traditional mai tai but with the added zing of thyme and fresh pineapple.
The hibiscus syrup in this recipe really complements the rum, thyme, and pineapple.
All these gastronomic details come together to make a thyme cocktail that’s both delicious and beautiful.
If you want to elevate your next mai tai, try this hibiscus thyme version with fresh pineapple.
You can even stain your ice cubes with hibiscus for an extra touch of color if you’re feeling fancy.
The bottom line
If you haven’t tried thyme in your alcoholic mixes yet, now’s the time to start.
Its woodsy, herby flavor is the perfect addition to any mixed drink.
And, as you can see from the recipes above, thyme cocktails come in all sorts of delicious varieties.
So, whether you’re looking for an alcoholic creation that’s tart or sweet, strong or refreshing, there’s sure to be a recipe on this list that’s perfect for you.
Try out one (or all) of these thyme cocktails, and let me know which one is your favorite.
I think you’ll be amazed at just how much thyme can change the flavor of your favorite mixed drinks—cheers!
15 BEST Thyme Cocktails
From a Salty Dog to a Margarita, these 15 BEST thyme cocktails are full of bright, woodsy flavor from the aromatic herb—they’re perfect for the at-home mixologist!
Ingredients
- Bourbon Thyme Cocktail
- Thyme for A Salty Dog
- Limoncello-Gin Cocktail With Grilled Thyme
- Strawberry Thyme Cocktails
- Blueberry Thyme Gin Fizz
- Thyme & Elderflower French Gimlet
- Fig & Thyme Cocktail
- Apple Thyme Bourbon Smash
- Vodka Thyme Lemonade
- The Aficionado Cocktail
- Apple Cider Sangria
- Blackberry Thyme Margarita
- Rhubarb, Grapefruit, & Thyme Cocktails
- Kumquat & Thyme Vodka Cocktail
- Hibiscus Mai Tai With Thyme & Fresh Pineapple
Instructions
- Have a look at our list of Thyme Cocktails.
- Choose the dish you want to recreate.
- Start mixing your newly found recipe!
- Share your insights on our Facebook page!