Turkey Free Herbal Grapefruit Paloma
Bright, citrusy, and just a little unexpected, this paloma is the kind of cocktail that makes a regular evening feel like a proper occasion. The real star is the homemade herbal simple syrup — rosemary and thyme steeped together until the syrup turns faintly golden and deeply fragrant, adding an earthy, aromatic depth that store-bought mixers simply can't replicate. Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and a hit of lime keep everything tart and lively, while chilled sparkling water lifts the whole drink into something refreshingly effervescent. The salted rim — just coarse kosher salt and a grapefruit wedge — adds that perfect savory contrast with every sip. Since this is a cocktail built entirely from fresh produce, herbs, tequila, and pantry staples, there's nothing hidden or processed to second-guess. It's a genuinely clean, from-scratch drink that happens to be as beautiful as it is delicious, especially with a sprig of rosemary or a thin grapefruit slice draped over the glass.
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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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