Lupin Free Herbal Grapefruit Paloma
Bright, citrusy, and just a little herbaceous, this cocktail is the kind of drink that makes a regular evening feel like a rooftop happy hour. The homemade rosemary-thyme simple syrup is the real star — steeped just long enough to pull out those fragrant, faintly piney oils before being strained clean and stirred into the mix. Fresh grapefruit juice and a hit of lime keep everything tart and lively, while chilled sparkling water gives it that satisfying effervescence. The salted rim adds a savory contrast that makes each sip taste more complex than the ingredient list might suggest. Because everything here is built from scratch — fresh citrus, whole herbs, blanco tequila, and sparkling water — there's no need to scan labels or second-guess pre-made mixes for unwanted additives. It's a genuinely clean cocktail that happens to taste like something a bartender spent years perfecting. Serve it immediately while the ice is fresh and the bubbles are still doing their thing.
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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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