Ginger Thyme Lemonade

hap-hap-Happy Monday to ya!

I hope you had a fabulous weekend.

My weekend seemed extremely long for some reason. I was weirdly super productive Saturday (tested/shot two recipes and MADE A RECIPE VIDEO WITH MY VERY OWN TWO HANDS!), and then I went to a graduation party for someone I used to babysit.

#iamold

I also tended to my herb garden, which I am 100% obsessed with. Is it weird to feel maternal towards an herb garden? I’ve caught myself saying, “Oh I’m so proud of you! Look how tall you are!” to my green onions more than once. I am an embarrassment, but it’s been really fun!

This is the first time I’ve ever planted anything (I was never an outdoorsy person), but I have to say I am L O V I N G it.

On top of some parsley, basil, rosemary, green onions, mint, and lavender, I’m growing thyme, which is easily one of my favorite herbs. I love how such a tiny leaf can have such an amazing and powerful flavor. And it looks SO pretty growing in my cute, perfect garden.

Have I mentioned I have an herb garden?

Okay, let’s chat lemonade. Aka. one of my favorite summertime drinks. Behind iced tea. Ooh! And margaritas. OH! And mojitos.

But there’s always something so special about lemonade. There is nothing more refreshing than that tart-sweet drink.

Except when you add ginger to the mix. Oh, and a little bit of thyme. Literally the best flavors EVER. Slightly spicy, slightly herby, super lemony, and juuuust the right amount of sweet.

It’s made up of two parts:

• Ginger Thyme Simple Syrup! I am totally 100% going to be adding this stuff to my cocktails alllll summer long. It’s super easy to make; all you need is some water, some sliced ginger, a couple sprigs of thyme, and then honey or maple syrup. Bring to a boil, mix, simmer, done. Super simple, and it adds SO much flavor to our lemonade.
• Lemon Juice! If there’s one thing I can’t stress enough, I highly suggest you using freshly squeezed lemon juice. It tastes so much brighter and fresher straight from a lemon than out of a bottle. It doesn’t take that long to juice the lemons, especially if you have a nifty juicer, but it really does make a difference in flavor. You do you, but when I make this lemonade again this week, I’m definitely using fresh lemons. You’ll need 6-7!

The best part about this lemonade is that you can make it as sweet as you like it. I’m a big fan of tart lemonade, rather than cloyingly sweet lemonade, so I only used about 2/3 of the simple syrup in my final batch. Then I served the simple syrup on the side for the people who like their lemonade a bit sweeter (like Mark).

OOH! A fun idea just popped into my head. You can even set up a lemonade bar where everyone can mix their own! Set out a pitcher of lemon juice and a pitcher of the Ginger Thyme Simple Syrup, and let people go to town! You can even serve it up with some bourbon. Now there’s a happy idea.

With this lemonade in hand, 2017 is bound to be the best summer yet. Enjoy, friends!

Ginger Thyme Lemonade

From Fooduzzi at https://www.fooduzzi.com/2017/06/ginger-thyme-lemonade/

https://www.fooduzzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ginger-thyme-lemonade-vegan-5.jpg

Prep: 10m

Cook: 15m

Yield: serves about 4 people, easily doubled

Total: 0h 25m

A super refreshing, herbaceous twist on lemonade! Subtle hints of thyme and ginger really elevate this classic summer drink.

You'll Need...

• 4 cups water
• 4-6 1/4-inch slices ginger
• 7-8 small springs thyme
• 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup or agave (if vegan)
• 3/4 cup lemon juice (from about 6-7 small-medium lemons)
• For steeping: the ginger slices from your simple syrup, lemon slices, fresh thyme sprigs

Directions

1. Add water to a medium pot over medium heat. Add ginger and thyme, and bring to a boil, then cover, and reduce to a simmer, and simmer for about 5 minutes.
2. Carefully stir in your honey / maple syrup / agave, and cover, and simmer for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to come to room temperature.
3. Remove thyme from the pot with some tongs, but keep the ginger in there - it's good to steep it in the lemonade for extra flavor.
4. Add lemon juice to a large pitcher. Add some of your simple syrup mixture - I used about 2/3 of it in my lemonade.* Add the ginger slices, some sliced lemon, and some fresh thyme to steep if desired - totally recommended for extra flavor.
5. Allow the mixture to sit in the fridge for at least 8 hours. Serve over ice with garnishes.

Additional Notes

*The best part about this lemonade is that you can make it as sweet as you like it. I'm a big fan of tart lemonade, rather than cloyingly sweet lemonade, so I only used about 2/3 of the simple syrup in my final batch. Then I served the simple syrup on the side for the people who like their lemonade a bit sweeter.

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