2 cups water
2 cups sugar
10 sprigs fresh thyme, plus extra for garnish
4 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 cups vodka
Grated lemon zest, to garnish
1 cup tonic or soda water
In a small saucepan, combine water with sugar and thyme and bring to boil over high heat, stirring occasionally until sugar has dissolved.
Remove from heat and allow to cool at room temperature.
Pour mixture through a fine sieve into a large measuring sup, discarding thyme. This should make roughly 2 cups of syrup. Cover with plastic and chill in refrigerator.
In a pitcher, stir together a good squeeze of lemon juice with vodka soda water and chilled syrup.
Serve in glasses over ice.