Sparkling Orange & Thyme Spritzer Recipe
This sparkling orange & thyme spritzer recipe is perfect any time of year, but it’s especially wonderful in the summer. It’s light, refreshing, and so pretty!
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For the past few years, I have shared a new and refreshing drink recipe during the summer. Fun and pretty drinks, even non-alcoholic ones, add the perfect touch to any gathering. It’s also very nice to simply make them for yourself! The orange & thyme spritzer recipe I’m featuring today is so simple to make, and it’s delicious.
Spritzer Recipe Tips
- Just in case you are wondering, I went into detail on what exactly constitutes a spritzer in this post.
- If you don’t have thyme, or don’t care for the taste, you can substitute fresh mint or lemon balm. The fresh herbs really do brighten the taste and add a bit of zing.
- This spritzer recipe can easily be adapted and served as an alcoholic drink. Simply add vodka or gin, in whatever ratio you prefer, before the refrigeration step.
- Like all drink recipes, this one can be adjusted to serve any number of people. Just use equal parts of sparkling water and juice.
- Any kind of orange juice can be used. To keep the calorie count down, I used Trop50. To add more texture and interest, orange juice with pulp would be wonderful.
- Don’t skip the garnishes. They make such a difference in the presentation, and take no time at all. Adding garnishes to a non-alcoholic drink definitely takes it up a notch!
- Serve this drink in clear glasses. It would be a shame not to show off how pretty it is!
About the Sparkling Water
Regular orange sparkling water is very easy to find. Also available at most grocery stores are blood orange sparkling water, and mandarin orange sparkling water. Either would work perfectly for this recipe. I’ve also seen orange & cream and orange mimosa. It’s also fine to use club soda, tonic water, or plain sparkling water. Just make sure you get something with some fizz, or you won’t be able to call your drink a spritzer!
Proper Spritzer Mixing Technique
When a drink contains fruit juice, and it doesn’t matter if there’s alcohol or not, it’s best to shake it to combine. If you are using a pitcher with no lid, and are unable to shake it, make sure to stir it quickly and thoroughly. The amalgamation process works both ways, either shaken or stirred, but shaking a fruit drink results in more air and better fusion of the ingredients. I used this pitcher and it worked great. For just two people, halve the recipe, and use a cocktail shaker.
Sparkling Orange & Thyme Spritzer Recipe
Ingredients
- 20 ounces orange sparkling water
- 20 ounces Trop50 orange juice
- 2 naval oranges
- 16 thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Juice one orange. Cut the second orange into 1/4 inch slices.
- Combine fresh orange juice, sparkling water, and Trop50 in a pitcher with a lid.
- Add 8 sprigs of thyme. Shake well.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Shake again before serving over ice. Garnish with fresh sprigs of thyme and orange slices.
Nutrition
Can other juice flavors be used?
Absolutely! This spritzer recipe can be adapted to feature your favorite flavor of juice by making a few simple changes. Here are some ideas:
- Cherry juice, cherry sparkling water, fresh mint, floating cherries for garnish.
- Apple juice, fuji apple or plain sparkling water, fresh rosemary, sliced apples for garnish.
- Pineapple juice, pineapple coconut sparkling water, fresh thyme, pineapple slices & blackberries for garnish.
More easy drink recipes!
I really can’t believe it’s August. I wish things would slow down, but the days are already getting shorter. This morning as I sit and write this, it’s actually chilly outside. I know what’s around the corner, and although I’m looking forward to fall, I want to savor these last moments of summer. I hope you do the same.
Until next time…
