Vampire’s Fig & Thyme Punch

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Sweet fig jam, botanical gin, fresh lemon juice, homemade thyme syrup, and sparkling water served over ice.

Short Intro

This drink is moody, earthy, and totally refreshing. Vampire’s Fig & Thyme Punch sounds spooky, but it’s seriously easy to make and feels like sipping a botanical garden in the fall. It’s perfect for cozy nights, Halloween parties, or anytime you want something a little bit different and a lot delicious.

Why I Love This Recipe

I made this punch one October when I had leftover fig jam and didn’t want to bake with it. So I grabbed some gin, lemon, and thyme syrup I had in the fridge—and wow, it just worked.

🍋 Tart lemon cuts the sweetness of the fig jam
🌿 Thyme adds a savory twist that smells amazing
✨ Sparkling water gives it a light, fizzy finish
🍸 Gin brings a crisp botanical note that makes it feel fancy
🧊 Over ice, it’s balanced, not too sweet, and totally sippable

How Many It Serves & Time

Servings: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes (for thyme syrup)

Macros (Per Serving – Approximate)

Calories: 165
Carbs: 19g
Sugar: 15g
Fat: 0g
Protein: 0g

Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)

Fig jam is a natural sweetener with fiber and richness.
Gin’s botanicals pair well with herbal notes like thyme.
Lemon juice adds acid to brighten the flavors.
Sparkling water dilutes and balances everything for a smooth finish.

What You’ll Need

2 tbsp fig jam
2 oz gin
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz thyme simple syrup (homemade or store-bought)
6 oz sparkling water
Ice
Extra thyme sprigs (garnish)
Optional: fresh fig slices (garnish)

2 tbsp fig jam2 oz gin1 oz fresh lemon juice1 oz thyme simple syrup (homemade or store-bought)6 oz sparkling waterIceExtra thyme sprigs (garnish)

Tools You’ll Need

Cocktail shaker or jar with lid
Small saucepan (for thyme syrup)
Citrus juicer
Fine mesh strainer
Spoon
Glasses

Pro Tips

Strain your fig jam and lemon juice mixture to keep it smooth.
Make the thyme syrup in advance—it keeps for a week in the fridge.
Add ice last to keep your drink extra bubbly.
Stir gently once sparkling water is added to keep it fizzy.
Use a dry gin to keep the balance clean and crisp.

Substitutions & Variations

Swap gin for vodka or tequila
Use rosemary syrup instead of thyme
Add a splash of cranberry juice for more color
Make it non-alcoholic by skipping gin and adding more sparkling water

Make Ahead Tips

You can mix the fig jam, lemon juice, gin, and thyme syrup ahead of time and chill it. Add sparkling water and ice just before serving.

Common Mistakes

❌ Using fig preserves with chunks—jam works best for smooth blending
❌ Forgetting to strain—fig seeds and pulp can make the drink gritty
❌ Adding sparkling water before shaking—it’ll go flat

What to Serve With

Cheese boards (especially brie or goat cheese)
Dark chocolate bark
Roasted nuts
Stuffed mushrooms
Charcuterie

FAQ

Can I use dried thyme?
Nope—fresh thyme makes a huge difference in aroma and flavor.

How long does thyme syrup last?
Up to 1 week in the fridge in a sealed jar.

Do I have to use sparkling water?
You could use tonic, but it will make it sweeter. Sparkling water keeps it light and balanced.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make Thyme Syrup

In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 4 sprigs of fresh thyme. Simmer for 5 minutes, then cool and strain.

AI Prompt: ultra close-up shot of a small saucepan with thyme sprigs floating in hot sugar syrup, light steam rising, with the syrup beginning to thicken slightly, on a modern stainless steel gas stove, with all-natural lighting, taken with an iPhone 15 Pro, top-down shot used by recipe bloggers.

a small saucepan with thyme sprigs floating in hot sugar syrup, light steam rising, with the syrup beginning to thicken slightly

Step 2: Juice the Lemon

Juice 1 lemon and strain out the seeds. You’ll want about 1 oz of juice.

lemon halves and a small bowl of freshly squeezed lemon juice with visible pulp, seeds set aside

Step 3: Mix the Base

In a shaker or jar, combine 2 tbsp fig jam, 2 oz gin, 1 oz lemon juice, and 1 oz thyme syrup. Stir or shake until smooth.

close-up shot of thick fig jam, clear gin, lemon juice, and thyme syrup blending in a clear glass shaker, swirled together into a rich golden mixture

Step 4: Strain & Pour

Strain the fig and gin mix into glasses filled with clear ice.

golden fig and thyme punch being strained into a glass over clear ice cubes, with the liquid forming soft ripples

Step 5: Top with Sparkling Water

Top each glass with 3 oz sparkling water. Stir gently.

sparkling water being poured into a glass filled with fig punch over ice, bubbles rising to the top, with the drink layering slightly

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Add a sprig of thyme and a slice of fig if you have one. Serve chilled.

two cocktail glasses filled with vampire’s fig & thyme punch, garnished with fresh thyme and fig slices, served over clear ice

Leftovers & Storage

Best served fresh. If you need to store, keep the base (without sparkling water or ice) in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Wrap-Up

This drink is one of my favorite fall punches—simple, elegant, and full of flavor. If you try this Vampire’s Fig & Thyme Punch, let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear what you served it with or how you made it your own. 🩸🍸