My herbal limeade is made with fresh lime, mint, thyme, and honey, all muddled right in the jar with a pinch of sea salt. Add ice and cold water, give it a good stir, and it's ready to pour. No simple syrup, no blender, and no straining required.
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I love a refreshing drink at the end of a long work day, whether I've spent it at the computer or on my feet through a long shoot day. This one came together because I had a bag of limes that needed using and plenty of fresh mint and thyme on hand. It was one of those ideas that just clicked, and it turned out way better than I could have hoped. It's unique, delicious, and so refreshing.
It's now my favorite drink to take outside and sip while the sun goes down. You'll likely see more drinks like this from me, and I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do!
What You Need
- Limes: Cut them into small wedges so they release plenty of juice when you muddle them.
- Fresh mint: A loosely packed quarter cup of leaves. If you're deciding which kind to grow or buy, my guide to mint varieties breaks down the options.
- Fresh thyme: Four or five sprigs go right in the jar.
- Honey: Three tablespoons to start, plus more if you like it sweeter. Use agave, maple syrup or granulated sugar if vegan.
- Sea salt: Just a pinch, added after the first round of muddling.
- Cold water and ice: Fill the jar generously with ice before adding the water.
How to Make Herbal Honey Limeade
Everything happens in a 1-liter glass jar. Add the lime wedges, mint, thyme, and honey, then muddle until the limes have released their juice and the herbs smell fragrant. Add the salt and muddle again. Fill the jar with ice, pour in the cold water, and stir until the honey is fully mixed in. That's it.
How Hard Should You Muddle the Herbs?
Press firmly on the limes so you get as much juice out of them as possible, but go easier on the herbs. You want to bruise the mint and thyme enough to release their aroma without crushing them to bits. A cocktail muddler works well, and the handle of a wooden spoon does the job too.
If you grow your own mint and thyme, my post on how to harvest herbs covers how to snip them so the plants keep producing.
Can You Make It Vegan?
Yes. Swap the honey for agave syrup, maple syrup, or any granulated sweetener you like. If you use a granulated sweetener, muddle it in with the limes so it has a chance to dissolve in the juice before the ice and water go in.
Drink It Right Away or Let It Chill
You can pour and enjoy this limeade as soon as it's stirred. If you have a little time, let it sit in the refrigerator for at least half an hour so the flavors deepen. It's best enjoyed within an hour, though. Any longer and the lime peels can start to turn it bitter.
Can You Make It Sparkling?
I think this would be delicious with sparkling water in place of still. If you try it, let me know how it goes!
Do You Need to Strain It?
No. I pour it straight from the jar into glasses, herbs and all. If you'd rather skip the bits of mint and thyme, pour it through a small strainer.
More Herbal Drinks to Try
Herbal Honey Limeade with Mint and Thyme
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Ingredients
- 3 fresh limes cut into small wedges
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves loosely packed
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 3 tablespoons honey plus more to taste
- 2½ cups cold water
- 2 cups ice or as needed
- Pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Add the lime wedges, mint, thyme, and honey to a 1-liter glass jar.
- Using a cocktail muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon, muddle until the limes have released plenty of juice and the herbs are fragrant. Muddle the herbs gently to avoid crushing them too much.
- Add the pinch of sea salt and muddle again.
- Fill the jar generously with ice.
- Pour in the cold water.
- Stir well until the honey is fully incorporated.
- Pour directly into glasses and enjoy. Straining is optional!
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