Chestnut Free Herbal Grapefruit Paloma
Bright, citrusy, and just a little herbaceous, this cocktail is the kind of drink that makes a regular Tuesday feel like a rooftop happy hour. The homemade rosemary-thyme simple syrup is the real star here — simmered until fragrant and faintly golden, it adds a savory-floral depth that store-bought mixers simply can't replicate. Fresh grapefruit juice and a squeeze of lime keep things tart and lively, while blanco tequila ties it all together with a clean, smooth backbone. The salted rim is a small step that makes a big difference, playing off the citrus in a way that feels genuinely bartender-level. Topped with chilled sparkling water and served over ice, the final drink is refreshing without being cloying. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of tree nuts, so there's no label-scanning or substitution stress — just a gorgeous, crowd-pleasing cocktail you can shake up with total confidence.
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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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