Ruby Grapefruit Paloma Mocktail

ByFreshly Picked

A refreshing, bubbly citrus drink made with fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, and rosemary simple syrup. This easy, non-alcoholic mocktail is perfect for holiday gatherings, family celebrations, or a refreshing afternoon drink.

Ingredients

For the Rosemary Simple Syrup

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary

For Each Grapefruit Mocktail

  • ½ cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (about 1 medium sized grapefruit)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1-2 limes)
  • 1–1½ tablespoons rosemary simple syrup
  • ¼–½ cup club soda or sparkling water
  • Ice

Optional Garnishes

  • Fresh rosemary sprigs
  • Grapefruit slices
  • Lime wedges
  • Sugar or salt for the rim

Make the Rosemary Simple Syrup

  1. Wash the Rosemary: Rinse the rosemary sprigs thoroughly under cool water.
  2. Dissolve the Sugar: Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a gentle simmer if needed, but do not boil.
  3. Steep the Rosemary: Add the rosemary sprigs and turn off the heat. Let steep for 10–20 minutes.
  4. Cool: Remove the rosemary sprigs. Let cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Make the Grapefruit Mocktail

  1. Wash the Fruit: Rinse your grapefruit and limes thoroughly under cool running water.
  2. Cut and Juice: Slice the fruit in half and use a citrus juicer or reamer to extract the juice. Strain out the pulp and seeds.
  3. Add the Citrus: Combine 1/2 cup of grapefruit juice, 1 Tbsp lime juice, and 1-2 Tbsp rosemary simple syrup in a glass. Stir well.
  4. Add Ice: Fill the glass with ice.
  5. Add Sparkle: Top with club soda or sparkling water and gently stir.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Add grapefruit slices, a sprig of rosemary, or a lime wedge. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use Fresh Citrus: Freshly squeezed grapefruit and lime juice provide the best flavor.
  • Adjust the Sweetness: Add more syrup for a sweeter drink or less for a more tart, refreshing flavor.
  • Try Grapefruit Soda: Replace some or all of the sparkling water with grapefruit soda for extra citrus flavor. Reduce the syrup if using a sweetened soda.
  • Make It Ahead: Prepare the rosemary simple syrup in advance and refrigerate. Mix the drink just before serving to preserve the fizz.

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