Cool And Refreshing Paloma Mocktail
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Paloma mocktail is a refreshing drink that combines tart grapefruit and fragrant rosemary for a sophisticated alcohol-free option. Bright, bubbly, and bursting with citrus, it’s the kind of drink that instantly lifts your mood. It’s the perfect refresher at home or at parties!
While ginger beer mocktail is a Thanksgiving favorite, everyone loves Paloma mocktail during winter, at our Christmas and New Year parties. It has that perfect balance of sweet, tart, and fizzy that captures all the flavor and flair of the classic cocktail, without the booze. It’s the perfect sip year-round, whether for relaxing at home or for sharing at parties.
How to Make a Paloma Mocktail
This Paloma mocktail comes together with just 10 minutes of prep using a handful of fresh, simple ingredients. Just make the rosemary syrup, assemble, and garnish. You can serve it immediately, but it’s even better when chilled.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Grapefruit juice: Fresh is best, but you can also use store-bought.
- Sugar
- Water: For making the syrup.
- Rosemary sprigs: Lightly clap the rosemary between your hands to release its oils before adding for maximum flavor.
- Lime
- Sparkling water or club soda
- Ice
- Optional garnish: Grapefruit slices and extra rosemary sprigs.
Step-By-Step Instructions
I think the best thing about this Paloma mocktail is the homemade rosemary syrup, which adds a beautiful, fragrant twist. It can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week. Once you have the syrup, all you need to do is assemble the drink and enjoy.
Step 1: Make the rosemary syrup
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and rosemary sprigs. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool with the rosemary in it for 30 minutes. Once cooled, discard the rosemary.
Step 2: Assemble the mocktail
Fill two glasses with ice. Add about 2 tablespoons of rosemary syrup to each (more or less, depending on your sweetness preference). Pour in 1 cup of grapefruit juice per glass, squeeze in the juice of half a lime, and top with 1 cup of sparkling water or club soda.
Step 3: Stir and garnish
Stir gently to combine. Garnish with grapefruit slices and rosemary sprigs, if desired. Serve immediately.
Substitutions
- Rosemary sprigs: Thyme or basil also complement grapefruit nicely.
- Sparkling water: Use grapefruit-flavored sparkling water for a stronger citrus punch.
Expert Tips
- Chill everything first: Cold juice, syrup, and sparkling water make your Paloma extra crisp and refreshing without needing too much ice.
- Balance to taste: Grapefruit can vary in sweetness. Start with less syrup and adjust after tasting.
- Infuse the syrup longer for stronger flavor: Let the rosemary steep longer for a deeper, more aromatic herbal note.
- Try creative twists: Add a splash of coconut water for tropical vibes, muddle a few raspberries for color, or mix in a dash of chili powder for a subtle kick.
- Turn it into a slushy: Blend the mocktail with crushed ice for a slushy, summer-ready treat.
How to Store This Recipe
You can make the rosemary syrup up to one week in advance and store it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Once you’ve mixed the grapefruit juice and syrup, it’s best to enjoy the mocktail fresh, as the sparkling water will lose its fizz after a few hours.
If you want to prep ahead, store the juice-syrup mix separately and top with sparkling water right before serving.
How to Serve a Paloma Mocktail
Serve your mocktail over ice in a highball or stemless wine glass, garnished with a fresh rosemary sprig and a thin grapefruit slice for that picture-perfect touch. For best results, make it just before serving so it’s at its fizziest.
Pair it with light eats in summer like shrimp or tilapia tacos, summer salad, chilled corn and black bean salad, or avocado toast with feta. For winter, it’s delicious with holiday treats like hot chocolate cookies, poached pears, or red velvet cake.
More Easy Drinks To Try
- Strawberry lemonade
- Electric lemonade
- Carrot ginger juice
- Pumpkin spice frappuccino
- Peppermint mocha
Grapefruit And Rosemary Mocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups grapefruit juice store-bought or fresh
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup water for making the syrup
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 lime juiced
- 2 cups sparkling water or club soda
- ice
- Grapefruit slices for garnish (optional)
- Rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and rosemary sprigs. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool with the rosemary in it for 30 minutes. Once cooled, discard the rosemary.
- Fill two glasses with ice. Add about 2 tablespoons of rosemary syrup to each (more or less, depending on your sweetness preference). Pour in 1 cup of grapefruit juice per glass, squeeze in the juice of half a lime, and top with 1 cup of sparkling water or club soda.
- Stir gently to combine. Garnish with grapefruit slices and rosemary sprigs, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chill the juice, syrup, and sparkling water so the drink stays crisp and refreshing without needing much ice.
- Grapefruit sweetness can vary, so start with less syrup and adjust after tasting.
- Let the rosemary steep longer in the syrup if you want a stronger, more aromatic herbal flavor.
- Add a splash of coconut water, muddle a few raspberries, or mix in a dash of chili powder for a creative twist.Blend with crushed ice to turn it into a slushy, summer-ready treat.
