For as much as I love fruit, I have never loved grapefruit. I’ve always wanted to, but it’s been a struggle. When I was a little kid I thought that eating a halved, sectioned grapefruit, lightly sprinkled with sugar and topped with a maraschino cherry served with breakfast was considered an elegant side. I never ate it, but bless my mom, she always did when I served it to her. Even years later, grapefruits on their own are still not really my thing, but I have come to love and appreciate their flavor, especially in mocktails and cocktails.
Back during my paralegal days a good friend of mine got me adding a splash of fresh grapefruit to my gin and tonics, we named that cocktail “the fresher” and I still make that to this day. This cocktail recipe is a nod both to my friend and my continued quest to love grapefruit more. This mocktail has a sweet-tart grapefruit flavor with a burst of lemon that’s refreshing and smooth for warm weather sipping.
The grapefruit itself was bred in the 18th century as a cross between a pomelo and an orange. It was given the name “grapefruit” due to growing in clusters on trees, similar to grapes. Low in calorie and loaded with nutrients, grapefruits are a whopping 92% water, and considered one of the highest water contents of any fruit. With that in mind, a grapefruit-lemon soda mocktail seemed appropriate, light, refreshing and hydrating now that spring has finally arrived.
This mocktail has a touch a sweetness, but is more on the tart side. It can, however, be easily adjusted if you want it more sweet and less tart. So if you love grapefruit or like me, are trying to embrace them more, this refreshing mocktail may be just the right thing to conveyance you.
Grapefruit-Lemon Soda
Ingredients
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- Tonic, a good quality one
- orange (or lemon) slice, for garnish
Directions
- Step 1 Place a good amount of crushed ice in a prefered glass and set aside.
- Step 2 Using a cocktail shaker add the grapefruit juice, lemon juice, simple syrup and a handful of ice cubes. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
- Step 3 Strain the grapefruit mixture onto the prepared glass. Top with tonic. Garnish with an orange slice.
