Recipe: Bubbly Peach and Thyme Mocktail

Reminiscent of a bellini, with a savory herbal upgrade, this sparkling drink is made for celebration. From Mother’s Day brunch and baby showers, to graduation parties and an afternoon with friends, sipping on this mocktail feels special, thanks to the combination of peach and thyme simple syrup.

One of the easiest ways to make a minimalist mocktail is with an infused simple syrup. For this recipe you’ll want to plan ahead a day — or even just a few hours.

Make the thyme simple syrup: Add about six sprigs of fresh thyme (per one cup of sugar) to one cup simmering water. Remove the pan from the heat and steep for about 30 minutes. Strain the syrup into a jar and discard the thyme. The simple syrup can be made up to two weeks in advance.

If you’ve already got simple syrup on hand, you can still add some thyme flavor. Place one cup of the syrup along with a few sprigs of thyme into a measuring cup, muddle, and then strain to remove any fibrous bits.

Make it in advance: How To Make Simple Syrup for Cocktails

For each drink, gently muddle about half of a small fresh peach (peeled and diced) in the bottom of a tall glass. Add ice and pour in one to 2 teaspoons of thyme simple syrup. (You can always add more to taste.) Top with plain seltzer, and stir together.

It’s time to go beyond seltzer, soda, and juice — shaking up booze-free drinks that actually feel fancy and fun is easier than you think. This series on sober celebrations will show you how to whip up super-impressive mocktails with just three basic ingredients.