Refreshing Blood Orange Thyme Lemonade for a Sunny Day

Blood Orange Thyme Lemonade is all I want on days when the sun is acting wild and my brain feels like it’s boiling. You know how sometimes plain lemonade just feels… eh, safe? Imagine that but with a jazzy twist and some herbal pop. Sometimes I stare at the fridge, desperate for something tart and cool but not the usual. If you’ve already tried a hit like this delightfully refreshing strawberry mint lemonade, you’ll know what I mean about needing a little adventure in your glass.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s something almost magical about this blood orange thyme lemonade. It looks gorgeous with its dreamy reddish blush, and honestly, it tastes like you accidentally wandered into a five-star patio bar—except you get to wear your backyard flip-flops. The thyme gives it that earthy edge so you don’t just get sugar and citrus, and the blood orange is, well, pretty much the fairy tale of oranges. My picky aunt even asked for seconds which… never happens. The flavors practically hug your tongue. If you’re bored with the basics and want to impress (even just yourself) with zero extra hassle, this recipe wins hands-down.

Essential Ingredients for Success

Do not overthink this. You only need a few things. Blood oranges—definitely go for the ones with that insane red inside. Regular lemons work fine. Fresh thyme, please, the dried stuff is just sad here. A bit of sugar (or honey, or honestly whatever sweetener lets you sleep at night). And cold water—duh. Sometimes I’ll use sparkling water if I’m feeling like a wild suburban rebel. Oh, ice. Loads of it. If you mess with the ratios, don’t worry; it’s not as fancy as it sounds and honestly you can fix mistakes by adding more juice or more water. Easy.

Step-by-Step Instructions

All right, ready for action? Start by juicing enough blood oranges and lemons to get about 1 cup of blood orange juice and 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice. Roll them first on the counter—pro tip from grandma—so you get all the juice out. Grab a small pot. Heat up one cup of water and half a cup of sugar together. Once it’s simmering, toss in a few sprigs of thyme and let it do its thing, off the heat. Cool that syrup down while you argue with your sibling about chores.

Strain out the thyme, pour your juices and syrup into a pitcher, fill the rest with water (still or bubbly, your call), add ice, and stir like you mean it. Taste—maybe add a pinch more lemon if you like the tartness sharp. Boom. Pour, sip, repeat.

Creative Variations

Don’t settle for boring, even with blood orange thyme lemonade. If you’re feeling bold, muddle in a few blueberries or strawberries. Or, if you’re secretly obsessed with herbs, some basil works too. Swap the sweetener for agave if you’re all about that low-glycemic life. Oh, you could even go half sparkling water, half still for a lightly fizzy vibe. Want it adult-friendly? Um, splash in a little vodka—just saying. My friend Jess once threw in a peach and, weirdly, it worked. You’ve got options, trust me.

Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Look, lemonade is basically foolproof, but if you want it to knock socks off every single time, here’s my advice (learned the hard way): Always strain your juices, unless you like surprise pulp bits. Use chilled ingredients so you don’t just water everything down with ice. Taste as you go—lemons can be moody and so can blood oranges. Oh, and serve in glasses with extra thyme sprigs to look fancy without even trying. My sister tried making it with bottled juice once—just… don’t. Go fresh or go home.

Storage and Meal Prep Benefits

Let’s be honest—no one wants to juice oranges every fifteen minutes. Good news: you can totally make a batch of blood orange thyme lemonade and keep it in the fridge for a couple days. Actually, it tastes even snappier after the flavors hang out together overnight. I’ll pour it into a jar with a tight lid, so it doesn’t share weird fridge odors (I’m looking at you, leftover fish). When I pack lunches, I’ll pour it into little mason jars for a quick lunchbox hero move. If you party prep, just make a huge pitcher—that way, nobody stands around bored and thirsty while you squeeze more juice. I do NOT recommend freezing though. When I tried? It gets all weird and separates.

• Store lemonade in a glass pitcher for best flavor
• For cocktails: just add a splash of gin or vodka! (Sometimes I forget this step and it’s still good, haha.)
• Great for make-ahead brunches, or even as a fancy picnic drink

Nutritional Benefits

All right, it’s not exactly a health elixir but listen—blood oranges are packed with vitamin C. That’s handy in summer when you’re sweating buckets or trying to stave off random colds. Thyme actually has some antioxidants, believe it or not, and a little herbal thing going on that makes you feel like you did something good for your body (tiny but meaningful). Plus, if you switch up the sugar for honey or less sugar in general, you’re helping your teeth and your jeans. It’s definitely a step up from the store stuff with weird chemicals and fake “lemon flavors.” Think of it more as a treat… with unexpected bonuses.

“I never thought thyme and citrus could taste so good together! This blood orange thyme lemonade is a total keeper in my house. Even my fussy teenager asked for more, and that says plenty.” — Actual comment from the last family BBQ

Common Questions

1. Can I use regular oranges instead of blood oranges?
You can, but you’ll lose that dramatic color and extra tang. Still tasty, though!

2. Is it okay to use dried thyme?
Ugh, technically yes, but it just isn’t the same. You’ll miss out on that lovely green, fresh burst.

3. How long does it last in the fridge?
Usually about 2-3 days. I drink mine before then—so, you know, never actually tested this to expiration.

4. Can I make this sugar-free?
Absolutely! Try monk fruit sweetener or just let the oranges’ sweetness shine on its own.

5. Do wild kids even drink this?
Actually, yes. My niece calls it “magic juice.” Just skip the gin, of course.

Wrapping Up—Go On, Give It a Try

So there you have it—blood orange thyme lemonade is one of those drinks that feels both fancy and totally doable. It’s got zing, color, and a bit of backyard garden magic without needing any barista flair. When regular lemonade feels tired, this is the stuff that’ll snap you back into summer vibes fast. Plus, if you’re up for more twists, the lemon thyme mocktail will make you the MVP of any cookout (seriously, just check it out). Oh, and for more grownup parties, peep the blood orange thyme cocktail if you want something a little stronger than lemonade. You’ll never go back to basic after this, I promise.

Blood Orange Thyme Lemonade

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

A refreshing twist on lemonade featuring blood oranges and fresh thyme for a delightful herbal edge.

• Author: Alexandra Roa
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Beverage
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup blood orange juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1/2 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar (or honey/agave)
• Fresh thyme (a few sprigs)
• Cold water (still or sparkling)
• Ice

Instructions

1. Juice enough blood oranges and lemons to get about 1 cup of blood orange juice and 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice.
2. In a small pot, heat 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of sugar together until simmering. Add a few sprigs of thyme, then remove from heat and let cool.
3. Strain the thyme from the syrup.
4. In a pitcher, combine the juices and syrup, then fill with water, add ice, and stir well.
5. Adjust sweetness with more lemon if needed. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Notes

For an adult version, add a splash of vodka. Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 30g
• Sodium: 5mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: blood orange, thyme, lemonade, refreshing drink, summer beverage, herbal drink