Refreshment with Pear and Thyme

Rinse the lemon in hot water and wipe dry. Remove the zest in strips (making sure not to remove any of the bitter white pith). Squeeze the juice from the lemon. Rinse the pear, and cut lengthwise into 8-12 thin slices. Drizzle the pear slices with 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice. Dice the remaining pear. Add the lemon zest, remaining lemon juice, diced pear, star anise, 4 sprigs of thyme, sugar, and 200 ml (approximately 7 ounces) of water to a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Let cool, the strain the mixture through a piece of cheesecloth (or a coffee filter).