Sparkling Grapefruit Mocktail Recipe

This post is going to show you exactly how to make a delicious sparkling grapefruit mocktail.

Let’s be real, it’s 2024 and it’s definitely the year of the mocktail! Whether you’re expecting a baby, taking some time off, or choosing to lead a sober lifestyle, it’s always nice to not be left out! Just because you choose not to consume alcohol doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious beverage that is JUST as classy. Sweet Nectar has you covered with a new series of monthly mocktails!

This mocktail is full of zingy citrus kicks, warm cinnamon simple syrup, bubbles, and more! Serve this for yourself on a beautiful spring day or bring ingredients for a party!

Let’s get right into it, I call this:

“Pink Tides”

What You Will Need

Citrus and Other Ingredients:

To make this grapefruit mocktail recipe really pop we will be using fresh citrus of course! We will be using Fresh Red Grapefruit Juice and Fresh Lime Juice. Fresh juice is ALWAYS the way to go when you want to make your drinks stand out. Trust me, once you switch over, you’ll never switch back! It just elevates the mocktail in a way that can’t be beat!

The tool I’m using in the photo above is my Stainless Steel Hand-Pressed Citrus Juicer! This may be one of my favorite tools that I own. I love that it’s easy to use, can fit multiple pieces of fruit, and has a little pour spout! It’s perfect! Definitely a handy tool to have if you want to continue to keep making spectacular mocktails. If you wanna check one out just like mine you can do so RIGHT HERE!

Next, to add some warm flavor to this delicious grapefruit mocktail we will be making a Cinnamon Simple Syrup! Just like in the name, this syrup is extremely simple to make! All you will need is cinnamon sticks, sugar, and water! Some simple syrups vary when it comes to ratios in order to make things a little sweeter, but for this recipe we will keep it simple with a 1:1 ratio. This means equal parts water to sugar.

Here’s how you make it!

• In a pot on the stove add desired amount of water
• Turn up heat and add in the same amount of sugar that you did water
• Before water starts to boil add in fresh cinnamon sticks ( The larger the batch, the more cinnamon stick you will want to add)
• Be sure to be mixing slowly so the sugar dissolves nicely into the water to form a syrup like consistency
• Once mixture comes to a slight boil, pull off of the heat
• Let syrup sit for at LEAST 30 minutes before straining into a container of choice
• All done!

This syrup can stay good in the fridge for up to a month! If you are planning to make this mocktail for a party or multiple times in a month then go ahead and make yourself a bigger batch!

I love to store my syrups and juices in small glass bottles with a pour spout like pictured above. These little bottles fit into the fridge with ease and add a really professional aspect to your home bar! Always remember to label and date your bottles so you can assure you’re always serving the most fresh and delicious product. I get most of my bottles from Amazon. You can check out an awesome set that comes with everything you will need RIGHT HERE!

Lastly, this grapefruit mocktail really gets a nice little kick of carbonation from adding in some Soda Water! For this recipe I used Q Mixers, but you can also use Fever Tree, or whatever brand you can get your hands on. Preferably try to find a brand with some nice carbonation. Both Q Mixers and Fever Tree can be found at most local grocery stores!

Bar Supplies:

The first item you are going to want to have on deck is a Shaker! I usually use a Boston shaker when building my cocktails, but recently for guests and for filming I have been using a Glass Cobbler Shaker! I love the look of this shaker and the ease of the pour. This particular cocktail has a built in strainer!  This is a crucial step for most drink builds. Shaking this mocktail will build it a bit in volume and also awaken all of the fresh citrus juice we have added! If you want to check out the glass shaker that I use you can do so right HERE!

Secondly you will want to have a Jigger! A jigger is how you measure the liquid ingredients that you are adding into a drink! You always want your beverage to be beautiful, balanced, and consistent! Using a jigger can help you achieve all of those things with ease.

My jigger shown above ranges from 1/4th oz to 2 oz.If you want to check out one identical to mine you can do so RIGHT HERE!

I must say that when I was just a beginner in the bartending world, I used a jigger that was much more simplified. It was great and truly let me build my skills with confidence. This jigger has only one side, very clear measurement lines, and a pour spout! If you’re just beginning and want to use this jigger to learn I will link the exact one I used to use RIGHT HERE!

Garnish:

Garnishing your mocktails is where it really gets fun! You will want your drink to stand out and look just as beautiful as all of the other cocktails! For this particular grapefruit mocktail we will be garnishing with a Cinnamon Sugar Rim and a Fresh Halfwheel of Red Grapefruit.

• On a small plate make a little mixture of 1/2 cinnamon and 1/2 sugar
• Take a slice of your fresh red grapefruit and run it around the outside rim of your glass
• Take the glass and lightly press it into the cinnamon sugar mixture
• Rotate the glass and make sure you get the mixture coated around the entire rim
• Cut a half wheel of grapefruit and drop directly in the drink, try to get it as close as to the outside of the glass as you can to ensure you can see it!

Garnishes are a wonderful way to enhance any cocktail or mocktail. They are beautiful and they also accentuate some of the flavors you will be tasting in your drink.

I also must mention that you will need ICE. Lots of people have fridges with an ice dispenser which is perfect for you to use. Alas, if you do not have accessible fridge ice, AKA ME, you will have to freeze your own! As you can see in the photo above I use a silicone perfect ice cube tray. You can find an identical one that comes with a LID right HERE! I am lucky enough to have a cocktail store near me as well that  carries perfect ice in every size but that is not always the most affordable option. I would still suggest you check if any such stores exist near your location! Although a little more pricey, definitely worth it in quality!!!

I do recommend that if you are starting to create multiple cocktails at home, you should invest in your own personal Bartending Kit. Most come with everything you will need as a beginner while others provide several items for more complex creations. I will put links to both a beginners set, and a more advanced set on Amazon below!

Beginners Kit : HERE

Advanced Kit : HERE

Let’s Build!