Walnut 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. Fresh grapefruit juice and lime bring serious zing, while a homemade rosemary-thyme simple syrup adds a savory, aromatic depth you simply won't find in anything bottled. The syrup comes together in minutes on the stovetop — just steep, strain, and cool — and it's genuinely worth the small effort. A salted rim and a splash of chilled sparkling water round everything out into something that feels polished without being fussy. Cocktails can sometimes sneak in flavored syrups or infused spirits with unexpected add-ins, but every element here is made from scratch with clean, straightforward ingredients you can see and control. Shake it hard, pour it over ice, and drop in a fresh herb sprig if you want that extra touch of elegance. It's refreshing, balanced, and absolutely built for sharing.
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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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