Naturally Sweetened Honey Lemon Simple Syrup

This post is sponsored by Thyme & Table. All opinions are my own.

Guys, it’s almost sun tea season!!!

 

I realize that seems a little…silly?…perhaps, but I always know it’s my favorite time of year when the sun is out long enough to make sun tea on the back porch while I cook dinner. There are so many sweet memories of my mom placing the sun tea pitcher out, the decorations on the outside fading, but the tea inside warming to that dark honey shade that meant it was just right. I remember we never really sweetened it with anything but sugar, and I remember that we used only sugar because it took about 800 years to dissolve as I stirred it (and the ice) with a teaspoon, but once you got it just right? There really wasn’t anything like that sun tea.

 

These days I’m all about doing things like making simple syrup infused with fun flavors to make drinks really fun. I find that things like entertaining can be made even more memorable when you take a classic (like sun tea) and turn up the volume just a little more with some delicious and unexpected ingredients. In this recipe I love the floral notes imparted from the honey, and the zestiness of the lemon just can’t be beat when it comes to iced tea.

So what’s more fun than making a great drink everyone will enjoy? Well, making that drink using new and GORGEOUS utensils from Thyme & Table at Walmart! Honestly I wasn’t sure what to expect because I’m a bit simplistic when it comes to cooking utensils. A good wooden spoon, a ladle, a whisk – those are all I really need when it comes to the everyday kitchen projects that I tackle. I was SO pleasantly surprised, though, at not only how pretty these products are (SERIOUSLY pretty), but how well-made they are as well. Who knew you could get something so nice on the aisles of Walmart?

Here’s the deal: first you need to just click right here and take a gander at how beautiful these products are. Aren’t they so pretty? I can’t really pick one that’s absolutely my favorite, although the copper measuring cups and spoons are so pretty I want to hang them on my wall. But my favorite part is how beautiful and utilitarian it all is as well – I love being able to USE the pretty things I have in my kitchen!

 

These would not only work well in your kitchen, but they would make such a sweet gift for newlyweds, your little sister that just moved out on her own, your brother that needs more than a steak knife to cook with, or really anyone who prepares food in any way. Or, you know, treat yo’self to some new kitchen goodies – you deserve it!

 

Y’all enjoy this sunny simple syrup recipe with your next batch of sun tea!

NATURALLY SWEETENED HONEY LEMON SIMPLE SYRUP

Makes 2 cups of simple syrup

Ingredients:

• zest of 2 lemons
• juice of 2 lemons
• 1 cup honey (locally sourced if possible)
• 1 cup filtered water

Directions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a simmer, stirring well, allowing the honey and water to melt together
3. Let the mixture cool completely.
4. Strain out the lemon zest, then pour the cooled syrup into a glass bottle or container until ready to use.
5. Enjoy!