Recipe Redux: Thyme Lemonade

Sometimes, you’re in a weird place.  Maybe you’re unhappy at your job.  Maybe you’re stressed out with life.  Maybe you’ve been Facebook stalking your ex (we’ve all been there, I had some moments last spring I’m not proud of).  Maybe it’s the weather and distinct lack of Spring-ness.  Whatever your reason, you need something to snap you out of it.

For me, most of the time I’ll find a song that somehow exactly defines how I’m feeling (this song starting playing on the radio at just the right time for me last year), and listening to it is enough to get me out of that weird place (I know, I’m starting to sound a little too emo).  Or maybe I need a walk in the sunshine or a cute pet to play with for a minute.  Or, sometimes, I just need the right drink.

Now, this drink can totally be a glass of red wine (never underestimate the power of a good malbec).  Or it can be a particularly good cocktail.  Or it can be something much more innocent and reminiscent of simpler days; lemonade.  That’s right, today, we’re making lemonade.  You know, for those times when life seems to be handing out only lemons.

This lemonade is grown up.  It’s not too sweet (I hate when people make their lemonade sweet – I want to taste the lemons!), and it’s dressed up with thyme.  It might sound crazy to you, but thyme can kind of ground the lemonade and add a complex note to it.  The resulting drink feels super adult while still bringing back memories of childhood summers.  And if that’s not adult enough for you, it would also taste delicious with a splash of gin or vodka (personally, I’d reach for the gin).

What gets you out of your weird place?

Thyme Lemonade

Serves 4-6

Ingredients: 

4 cups water, divided

1/2 cup sugar

10-15 sprigs of thyme, plus more for garnish

1 cup lemon juice (from about 6 lemons)

Optional Add-Ins:

Seltzer Water

Vodka

Gin

Cucumber slices for garnish

Directions:

1.  Add the sugar, thyme, and one cup of water to a small pot and heat over low heat until the sugar dissolves.  Wait another minute, then turn the stove off.

2.  Add in lemon juice and 4 cups of cold water.  Stir everything together, then refrigerate for at least an hour.

3.  Add in any other liquids you want (seltzer, alcohol) and serve cold.

Enjoy!