Carrageenan Free Berry Paloma with Fresh Berries
Tart grapefruit, bright citrus, and a jewel-toned berry syrup come together in a cocktail that looks like it belongs on a rooftop bar but comes together right in your own kitchen. The homemade berry syrup is the real star here — simmered from fresh or frozen mixed berries and strained until silky smooth, it delivers deep, jammy flavor without any of the thickeners or stabilizers that sneak into store-bought mixers and flavored syrups. That matters more than you might think, since carrageenan turns up in a surprising number of packaged drink ingredients, from flavored waters to pre-made cocktail syrups. Every ingredient in this recipe is straightforward and whole: blanco tequila, freshly squeezed grapefruit and lime juice, sparkling water, and that gorgeous homemade syrup. A quick shake over ice brings it all together into something fizzy, fruity, and just a little salty in the best possible way. Garnish with a handful of fresh berries and a citrus wedge and you've got a drink that's as beautiful as it is clean.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
For the berry syrup
- ½ cup fresh or frozen mixed berries (such as strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries)
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp water
For the cocktail
- 4 oz blanco tequila
- ¾ cup fresh grapefruit juice (from about 1 large grapefruit)
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 cup sparkling water, chilled
- ice cubes, as needed
For serving
- ¼ cup fresh berries, for garnish (optional)
- 2 grapefruit or lime wedges, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the berries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the berries break down and release their juices, about 4–5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
- 2
Press the berry mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a small bowl or jar, pressing firmly on the solids to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard the solids. You should have about 3–4 tbsp of berry syrup.
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