Description
This Tart Cherry Juice Mocktail with Thyme and Aleppo Pepper is a refreshing, lightly spiced non-alcoholic beverage that combines the tartness of cherry juice with a fragrant thyme and honey syrup infused with a mild heat from Aleppo pepper. Perfect for warm days or any time you want a sophisticated, fizzy drink without alcohol.
Ingredients
Syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 to 5 fresh thyme sprigs (about 4 inches long each)
- 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- Pinch fine sea salt
Mocktail
- Ice cubes, as desired
- 2 cups tart cherry juice, preferably unsweetened and chilled
- 2 cups sparkling water or club soda, chilled
- Lemon twists for garnish
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Make the thyme-honey-aleppo syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the water, honey, fresh thyme sprigs, Aleppo pepper, and a pinch of salt. Set over medium heat and stir until the honey dissolves completely. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes, allowing the thyme and Aleppo pepper to further infuse. Once cooled, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a jar or bowl, pressing the thyme to extract maximum flavor. Discard solids. You should have about 3/4 cup syrup.
- Mix the mocktails: Fill coupe or rocks glasses with ice cubes if desired or serve straight up. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the thyme-honey-aleppo syrup to each glass, adjusting to taste. Pour about 1/3 cup tart cherry juice into each glass, then top with about 1/3 cup sparkling water per glass. Stir gently to combine the ingredients.
- Garnish and serve: Express a lemon twist over each glass to release the oils, then drop it in or perch it on the rim. Add a fresh thyme sprig for garnish. Serve immediately while still fizzy for the best refreshing flavor.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of Aleppo pepper in the syrup to your preferred level of spiciness.
- Use unsweetened tart cherry juice to control the sweetness level of the mocktail.
- The syrup can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- For a less sweet version, reduce the honey quantity in the syrup.
- The mocktail can be served over ice or without, depending on your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
