A refreshing Watermelon Thyme Lemonade is perfect for hot summer days—whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, heading to the beach, or enjoying an afternoon in the park. This bright, herb-infused lemonade blends freshly squeezed lemon juice, sweet watermelon, and a fragrant thyme simple syrup for a unique, crowd-pleasing drink.
Making homemade lemonade from fresh lemons is one of the best ways to stay cool in summer. Adding watermelon gives the lemonade a natural sweetness and gorgeous color, while thyme adds a subtle herbal note that lifts the flavor. If you want variations, try substituting thyme with basil, rosemary, lemon basil, or mint—any fresh herb works well when made into a simple syrup.
Herb lemonade ideas
This recipe pairs beautifully with many herbs. Make a thyme simple syrup for the classic version, or experiment with sweet basil, lemon thyme, lavender, or mint for different flavor profiles. Herbal simple syrups are easy to prepare and keep well in the refrigerator, so you can flavor lemonade, iced tea, or cocktails throughout the season.
Ingredients
- 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cups watermelon juice
- 2 to 3 cups water (adjust to taste)
- ½ to 1½ cups granulated sugar (to taste)
- ¼ cup thyme simple syrup
- Fresh sprigs of thyme and basil for garnish
- Lemon slices for garnish
Directions
- In a large container, combine the lemon juice, watermelon juice, water, sugar, and thyme simple syrup. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Fill a large serving pitcher with ice.
- Pour the watermelon-thyme lemonade concentrate into the pitcher and stir. Add lemon slices and fresh herb sprigs, then stir again.
- Serve in mason jars or tall glasses over ice, garnished with additional lemon slices and herb sprigs.
- Store any remaining concentrate in the refrigerator and refill the pitcher as needed.
- Makes about 8–10 servings, depending on glass size.
How to make herbal simple syrups
Herbal simple syrups are an easy way to add concentrated herb flavor to drinks. They’re excellent for lemonade, iced tea, mocktails, and cocktails. If you grow herbs, simple syrup is a smart way to use extra fresh leaves.
Thyme simple syrup ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 packed cup fresh thyme (leaves and stems)
Thyme simple syrup directions
- Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and stir until the sugar begins to dissolve.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat just until it reaches a gentle boil, then remove from heat.
- Let the syrup cool slightly for about 15 minutes so it remains warm but not hot.
- Lightly crush the thyme (trim any very thick stems) and submerge it in the syrup.
- Cover the pan tightly and steep for a few hours or overnight for stronger flavor.
- Strain the syrup through cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove all herb particles.
- Transfer the thyme syrup to a sealed container and refrigerate. It keeps for about 2–3 weeks.
- This yields approximately 1 cup of thyme simple syrup.
Recipe tips
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the best flavor, though bottled lemon juice or frozen concentrate can be used in a pinch.
- Adjust water and sugar to your taste—add more water for a milder drink, or increase sugar if your watermelon is less sweet.
- Try other herb simple syrups to vary the flavor: sweet basil, lemon thyme, lavender, and mint are all excellent choices.
- Store thyme simple syrup refrigerated in a sealed container for 2–3 weeks.
- Serve in mason jars or tall glasses for a charming presentation at gatherings.
Other fruit-infused lemonade ideas
- Watermelon Lemonade
- Fruity Pink Lemonade
- Fresh Strawberry Lemonade
- A selection of the best homemade lemonade recipes for summer
More ways to use herbal simple syrups
- Use thyme syrup in cocktails like margaritas or spritzers for an herbal twist.
- Make icy treats such as mojito-style ice pops sweetened with basil or mint syrup.
- Flavor iced teas with fruit syrups—mango, hibiscus, peach, or cherry syrups pair beautifully with black or green tea.
Printable recipe summary
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Watermelon Thyme Lemonade Recipe
Summary: A homemade watermelon thyme lemonade made with freshly squeezed lemons, watermelon juice, and thyme simple syrup. Bright, lightly sweet, and herb-forward—ideal for summer entertaining.
Ingredients
- 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cups watermelon juice
- 2 cups water (adjust to taste)
- ½ to 1½ cups sugar (to taste)
- ¼ cup thyme simple syrup
- Fresh thyme and basil sprigs and lemon slices for garnish
Directions
- Combine lemon juice, watermelon juice, water, sugar, and thyme syrup in a large container. Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Fill a serving pitcher with ice and pour in the lemonade concentrate. Stir and add lemon slices and herb sprigs.
- Serve over ice and refill the pitcher as needed. Makes 8–10 servings.
Thyme simple syrup (makes ~1 cup)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 packed cup fresh thyme (leaves and stems)
- Heat sugar and water until the sugar dissolves and the mixture just boils. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Add lightly crushed thyme, cover, and steep for a few hours or overnight.
- Strain, store in a sealed container, and refrigerate for up to 2–3 weeks.