High Fructose Corn Syrup Free Herbal Grapefruit Paloma
A paloma is already one of the most refreshing cocktails around, and this herbal version takes it somewhere genuinely special. The secret is a homemade rosemary-thyme simple syrup — just sugar, water, and fresh herb sprigs simmered together until fragrant and faintly golden. That single step is what keeps this drink completely free of the corn-syrup-laden bottled mixers and flavored syrups that sneak into so many bar-style cocktails. Fresh grapefruit juice and a squeeze of lime do all the heavy lifting on flavor, so every sip tastes bright and real rather than artificially sweet. A salted rim adds just enough savory contrast, and a splash of chilled sparkling water at the end gives it that perfect effervescent lift. It's the kind of drink that looks impressive on a table but comes together with straightforward steps and ingredients you can actually pronounce.
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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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