Looking for a refreshing drink that isn’t packed with sugar? This sugar-free lemonade with thyme is easy to make and has an irresistible flavor you can enjoy all summer!
Lemonade is one of those drinks that seems to scream for sugar. Most “diet” lemonades I’ve tried simply aren’t very good, but I love enjoying a cold glass in the summertime. That’s when I decided to create my own version.
This sugar-free lemonade with thyme is exactly what I’ve been searching for! I used stevia, which gave it just the right sweetness without having any effect on blood sugar.
I used lemon thyme because it was thriving in my garden, but other varieties of thyme or rosemary would be delicious as well. The subtle herb flavor really adds to how refreshing this drink is!
Best of all, it’s so simple to make. And you can store any leftovers in the refrigerator so you’ll be able to pour yourself a cold glass any time you like.
How to make sugar-free lemonade with thyme
This refreshing drink comes together in just three easy steps.
Step 1: Place 2 cups of water and the stevia in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Step 2: Once simmering, stir until the stevia dissolves. Add the thyme sprigs, cover, and turn off the heat.
Step 3: When the thyme mixture has cooled to room temperature, strain into a pitcher filled with ice cubes. Stir in the remaining 2 cups of water and lemon juice.
Now, all you have to do is pour your stevia-sweetened lemonade into ice-filled glasses and enjoy! I like to garnish mine with thyme sprigs and lemon slices.
Working with stevia
Over the years, I’ve learned that brands of stevia can vary wildly. The key to non-bitter stevia is to look for one that is high in steviosides, the sweetness component.
A little more than ⅓ of a cup of powdered stevia was the right amount for me in this recipe. However, your stevia could be more or less sweet than mine, so you may need to make adjustments.
If you use liquid stevia extract, start with ½ to ¾ of a teaspoon and adjust from there.
Storage
If you have any leftover lemonade, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to a week.
And who doesn’t love having a fresh pitcher of lemonade in their fridge? You can pour yourself a glass whenever the craving strikes!
Other healthy drink recipes
Looking for more refreshing drinks to enjoy when it’s hot outside? Here are a few more healthy, easy-to-make drinks that I think you’ll enjoy:
For even more healthy drink recipes, take a look at this roundup of diabetes-friendly (low-carb) smoothie recipes.
Sugar-Free Lemonade with Thyme
Ingredients
- 4 cups water, (divided)
- 6 tablespoons Stevia, (powdered)
- 10 sprigs fresh thyme, (or lemon thyme — plus additional for garnish)
- 2 cups fresh lemon juice
- Lemon slices for garnish, (optional)
Instructions
- Place 2 cups of water and the stevia in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.4 cups water, 6 tablespoons Stevia
- Once simmering, stir until the stevia dissolves. Add the thyme sprigs, cover, and turn off the heat.10 sprigs fresh thyme
- When the thyme mixture has cooled to room temperature, strain into a pitcher filled with ice cubes. Stir in the remaining 2 cups of water and lemon juice.2 cups fresh lemon juice, Lemon slices for garnish
