Blackberry Thyme Cooler

Photo by Linda Campos / Styled by Catrine Kelty

Spirit-free beverages are having a moment. Every trip to the grocery store reveals a new array of canned mocktails, elevated seltzers and adult sodas stocking the shelves. As with most things, it’s better for your wallet (and bettertasting) to make your own at home. Sweetened only with honey and pressed blackberry juice, this cooler can be mixed by the pitcher to serve a crowd. Fresh blackberries are simmered and steeped with thyme, then stirred with jasmine tea, honey and club soda. Brew the jasmine tea with 2 teabags since it will be diluted with ice and club soda. It’s a not-too-sweet, refreshing drink that everyone can enjoy.

Serves 6

12 ounces (2 pints) fresh blackberries
1 handful of fresh thyme sprigs, plus more for garnish
½ cup honey
2 cups brewed jasmine green tea
½ cup lemon juice
6 cups club soda

In a small saucepan, combine the blackberries, handful of thyme sprigs and honey. Crush the fruit with a potato masher to release the juices. Place the pan over mediumhigh heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.

Turn off the heat and let the thyme steep in the blackberry juice for 30 minutes.

Set a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and strain the berry mixture, pressing on the solids with a rubber spatula to extract every bit of juice. Discard the solids.

In a large pitcher, stir together the strained juice, jasmine tea, lemon juice and club soda. Serve over ice in tall glasses. Garnish each with a sprig of thyme.

This recipe appeared in the Summer 2024 issue as part of a larger story on Honey.