Citric Acid Free Mint, Lime & Grapefruit Rosemary Sparkler
This sparkling drink is bright, herbal, and refreshing — the kind of thing that looks like it came from a fancy cocktail bar but comes together in your own kitchen with just a handful of fresh ingredients. Citric acid shows up in a surprising number of packaged beverages and flavored syrups, so making your own from scratch is the smartest way to stay in control of what's actually in your glass. The homemade rosemary-honey syrup is the real star here — just honey, water, and fresh rosemary steeped together until fragrant, with no additives or preservatives in sight. Fresh grapefruit and lime juice bring all the tartness and zing you'd want, while muddled mint adds a cool, aromatic lift that ties everything together beautifully. A generous pour of chilled sparkling water at the end keeps it light and effervescent without any store-bought mixers to second-guess. Garnished with a grapefruit slice and a rosemary sprig, it's genuinely stunning to serve to guests — or just to yourself on a slow afternoon.
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 rosemary-honey syrup
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup water
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
For the sparkler
- 12 fresh mint leaves, plus 2 sprigs for garnish
- ½ cup fresh grapefruit juice (from about 1 medium grapefruit)
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 3 tbsp rosemary-honey syrup (from above)
- 1 cup sparkling water, chilled
- 1 cup ice cubes
For serving
- 2 thin grapefruit slices (optional)
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the honey, water, and rosemary sprigs in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the honey fully dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the rosemary steep for 15 minutes, then strain through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the rosemary. Cool the syrup completely before using.
- 2
Place the 12 mint leaves in a cocktail shaker or large jar. Muddle firmly until the leaves are bruised and fragrant, about 10 presses.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!