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Home ·  Recipes

Honey Thyme Margarita

Author: Maryanne CabreraPublished: Aug 16, 2018Updated: Oct 5, 2023
View Recipe6 Reviews
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

This honey thyme margarita is made with fresh squeezed juices and thyme infused honey. 

Honey Thyme Margarita

I’ll take any excuse to make a margarita.

Once upon a time, I avoided tequila like the plague.

One too many nights of tequila shots in college resulting in headaches and hangovers led to my distain for the liquor.

Now that I’m a tiny bit wiser and into my 30’s I have come to appreciate tequila’s flavor, aroma, and versatility.

Honey Thyme Margarita

Grapefruit Margarita

Citrus pairs beautifully with tequila.

Lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit- they are all friends of tequila.

This margarita uses a combination of grapefruit and lime.

The fresh squeezed grapefruit juice gives this margarita it’s beautiful pink-orange hue.

Honey Thyme Margarita Ingredients
Bartender 101

Tequila Types

There are four main tequila variations:

  • Blanco (white or silver)
  • Gold (usually a combination of blanco and reposado)
  • Reposado (“rested” or aged in oak barrels)
  • Añejo (aged longer, usually darker in color)

Different Tequila Options

Blanco (white or silver)

  • clear color, unaged or quickly aged in stainless steel barrels
  • great for mixing into cocktails because of it’s agave forward flavor and strong impression

Gold

This cocktail uses a combination of grapefruit and lime juice. The slight bitterness of the grapefruit works well with the earthy honey thyme syrup.

Fresh squeezed lime juice and a touch of orange liquor help to soften the cocktail, making this drink super refreshing and easy to drink!

  • gold in color, usually a combination of blanco and reposado
  • sometimes made by mixing blanco with caramel coloring to make it look aged

Reposado (“rested”)

  • Aged from 2 months to less than a year in oak barrels

Añejo (aged)

  • darker in color, usually aged 1-3 years in oak barrels
  • much softer agave flavor due to aging time, also more wood notes because of barrels
Honey Thyme Margarita

This honey thyme margarita recipe uses blanco tequila.

This is a personal preference. I tend to use blanco for all my tequila based cocktails.

I reserve the aged tequila for sipping neat or enjoying on the rocks.

Honey Thyme Margarita

Honey Simple Syrup

The honey thyme syrup is made by combing equal parts liquid honey and water.

Fresh thyme sprigs are steeped in the sweet mixture until the desired flavors are extracted.

Fresh rosemary or fresh basil are great alternatives.

Use leftover simple syrup to sweetened other cocktails, iced teas, coffee, or drizzle over pancakes.

Honey Thyme Margarita

Suggested Honey Varieties

There are many, many different types and varieties of honey.

Asides from whether you are using raw or pasteurized (processed) honey, honey varieties depend on the flowers the bees used.

Some varieties are stronger in flavor, some are sweeter, some are darker in color.

I suggest using a mild, light flavored honey.

Use Alfalfa, Clover, or Orange Blossom honey for the best results.

A mild honey will allow the thyme to shine through.

If you use a dark hued, strong flavored honey, the herb will be lost.

Honey Thyme Margarita

Honey Thyme Margarita

This honey thyme margarita is made with fresh squeezed juices and thyme infused honey. Perfect to serve for brunch or afternoon cocktails!
Yield: makes 1, multiply as needed
Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 1
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ oz silver tequila
  • ¾ oz fresh squeezed lime juice
  • ¾ oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
  • ½ oz orange liqueur, like Cointreu
  • ½ oz honey thyme syrup
  • coarse sea salt, to rim serving glass

Honey Thyme Syrup:

  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup liquid honey*
  • 6 3-inch sprigs fresh thyme

Instructions
 

  • Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, grapefruit juice, orange liqueur, and syrup. Shake well until well chilled. Strain into a salt-rimmed serving glass. 

Honey Thyme Syrup:

  • Add water, honey, and thyme to a heavy bottomed sauce pot. Bring to a simmer until honey has dissolved. Remove from heat and let thyme steep for 30 minutes. Strain out thyme. Transfer syrup to airtight container and keep at room temperature. 

Notes

  • I suggest using a mild, light flavored honey. This will allow the thyme to shine through. If you use a dark hued, strong flavored honey, the herb will be lost. Use Alfalfa, Clover, or Orange Blossom honey for the best results.
All images and text ©The Little Epicurean
Author: Maryanne Cabrera
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: margarita, tequila, honey, grapefruit
Did you make this recipe?Show us on Instagram! Tag @littleepicurean and hashtag #littleepicurean.

Thirsty for more grapefruit based cocktails? Try these:

  • Honey Paloma is very similar to margarita, but better!
  • Grapefruit Cinzano is reminiscent of a Negroni, but lighter and brighter in flavor.
  • Vodka Spiced Punch serves up a tasty combination of grapefruit juice and warm spices. Perfect for the holidays!
6 Reviews
Filed in:
Breakfast & Brunch · ModernFall + Winter · Fruits · Spring + Summer · Tequila

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Reader Questions and Reviews

  1. Casey says:
    October 29, 2018

    Where are your glasses from??

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      October 29, 2018

      I can’t remember whether I purchased them from Crate & Barrel or CB2.

  2. Megan haave says:
    March 14, 2020

    If I’m making and bottling the syrup a week ahead, do I refrigerate it or leave it at room temperature?

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      March 16, 2020

      Refrigerate the syrup for longer storage.

  3. Kelley @ Chef Savvy says:
    March 18, 2020

    This looks amazing! I love margaritas and never thought about making them this way this sounds fantastic! Can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
  4. Lisa says:
    May 25, 2021

    Recipe looks great, can’t wait to try it! Where did you get these glasses??

    Reply
Maryanne Cabrera

Meet the Author

Maryanne Cabrera is a classically trained pastry chef, baker, cake maker, and cocktail shaker.
Read more about me

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