Yeast Free Herbal Grapefruit Paloma
Bright, citrusy, and just a little herbal, this cocktail is the kind of drink that makes a regular evening feel like a rooftop happy hour. Fresh grapefruit juice and lime bring serious zing, while a homemade rosemary-thyme simple syrup adds a savory-sweet depth that no store-bought mixer can replicate. The syrup comes together in minutes on the stovetop — just sugar, water, and fresh herb sprigs steeped until fragrant and faintly golden. Because the lift here comes entirely from chilled sparkling water rather than any fermented ingredient, there's no yeast involved anywhere in the glass. Blanco tequila, fresh-squeezed citrus, and that herb-infused syrup do all the heavy lifting, making this a genuinely satisfying cocktail that doesn't require any compromises. A salted grapefruit rim and a sprig of rosemary or thyme on top make it look as good as it tastes. Mix one up for guests and watch it disappear before you've even sat down.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!