Cashew Free Herbal Grapefruit Paloma
Bright, citrusy, and just a little herbaceous, this paloma is the kind of cocktail that makes a regular Tuesday feel like a rooftop happy hour. The homemade rosemary-thyme simple syrup is the real star here — steeping fresh herbs in warm sugar water pulls out their oils and creates a faintly golden, fragrant base that no store-bought mixer can replicate. Fresh grapefruit juice and a squeeze of lime keep everything tart and lively, while blanco tequila ties it all together with a clean, smooth backbone. A salted rim adds that satisfying savory contrast right from the very first sip. The whole build is naturally free from nuts and nut-derived ingredients — every component is straightforward and easy to verify, so there's no label-reading stress involved. Top it off with sparkling water for a little effervescence, and you've got a stunning, refreshing drink that looks far more impressive than the effort it actually takes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
For the herbal simple syrup
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
For the salted rim
- 2 tsp coarse kosher salt
- 1 grapefruit wedge, for rimming
For the cocktail
- 3 oz blanco tequila
- ¾ cup fresh grapefruit juice (from about 1 large grapefruit)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime)
- 1 oz herbal simple syrup (from above)
- 1 cup sparkling water, chilled
- 1 cup ice cubes
For serving
- 2 small sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme, for garnish (optional)
- 2 thin grapefruit slices, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the sugar, water, rosemary sprigs, and thyme sprigs in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the herbs steep for 10 minutes, until the syrup is fragrant and faintly golden.
- 2
Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a small jar or bowl, pressing the herbs lightly to extract their oils. Discard the spent herbs. Let the syrup cool to room temperature before using.
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