Bright and tart grapefruit and lime juices mingle with piney rosemary, vanilla, and ginger beer in this non-alcoholic vegan mocktail. Maple syrup lends a subtle sweetness that balances out the tartness from the citrus. This zero-proof drink is suitable for all ages and occasions and has quickly become one of my favorites this winter!
Winter citrus has arrived! Just as we start to settle into the darker days of winter, the brightness of citrus arrives to tide us over until springtime. While you can find citrus most of the year at any grocery store, you’ll find the best variety during the winter season. Do you have any favorites? I think blood oranges, ruby red grapefruits, cara cara oranges, and limes are probably at the top of my list. So, it was only appropriate to include a couple of those in this mocktail recipe!
I created a version of this for myself over the holidays and have been enjoying it ever since. It’s pretty simple to throw together and makes even the most mundane day seem just a little bit special. Since this is a mocktail, it’s completely alcohol-free, not to mention vegan and gluten-free. So, grab your ingredients, pull up a chair, and let’s enjoy one of these together!
Why You Should Make this Recipe
- It’s a delicious, alcohol-free way to enjoy a drink for a special occasion.
- It’s the perfect pick-me-up for dreary winter days. I mean, look at that bright and sunny color!
- It’s a great way to get a little extra Vitamin C from the citrus fruits.
- It is super easy to make and comes together in just about 5 minutes without any special equipment. (you don’t even need a cocktail shaker!)
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Grapefruit – the juice provides the base flavor and bulk of the drink. I prefer ruby red grapefruit but feel free to use what you like!
- Lime – the juice lends a very subtle rich and sweet note that pairs nicely with the grapefruit and the ginger beer.
- Rosemary – the piney flavor is reminiscent of winter and creates a lovely contrast to the tart citrus.
- Vanilla – adds a bit of warmth and coziness to the drink. Make sure to use a non-alcoholic vanilla extract if you’d like to keep it truly zero-proof!
- Maple Syrup – lends sweetness to balance out the tart citrus and helps to extract the flavor of the rosemary during the muddling process.
- Ginger Beer – adds some fizz and gingery-spice that complements all of the other flavors. If you can’t find ginger beer, you can use a ginger soda or ginger ale in its place!
- Ice – keeps the drink nice & frosty.
How to Make this Grapefruit Rosemary Mocktail
You’ll need a cocktail shaker or a pint-sized mason jar with a lid. First, you’ll add the rosemary, maple syrup, and vanilla to the shaker or jar. Then, you’ll muddle the rosemary with a muddler or wooden spoon for about a minute until it becomes highly fragrant. Set your jar aside and juice your citrus. You need the juice of 1 grapefruit (ruby red is my preference) and 1 lime. Once you juice your citrus, strain it into your jar or cocktail shaker to remove any seeds. Add a large handful of ice to the shaker or jar, then place the lid on it securely. Vigorously shake for about a minute. Then, strain this mixture into a glass with ice and top it off with ginger beer. Add a garnish of fresh rosemary or a grapefruit wedge if you like!
Grapefruit Rosemary Mocktail with Vanilla & Ginger Beer
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 drinks 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Bright and tart grapefruit and lime juices mingle with piney rosemary, vanilla, and ginger beer in this non-alcoholic vegan mocktail. Maple syrup lends a subtle sweetness that balances out the tartness from the citrus. This zero-proof drink is suitable for all ages and occasions and has quickly become one of my favorites this winter!
Ingredients
- 1–2 sprigs rosemary
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ice
- 1 grapefruit
- 1 lime
- 4–5 ounces ginger beer, such as this one
Instructions
Add the rosemary, maple syrup, and vanilla to a cocktail shaker or a pint jar. Muddle the rosemary with a muddler or a wooden spoon for about a minute until it becomes highly fragrant. Set your jar aside for a moment.
Juice your grapefruit and lime, then strain the juice into your cocktail shaker or jar to remove any seeds. Add a large handful of ice to the shaker or jar, then place the lid on it securely. Vigorously shake for about a minute.
Fill two rocks or short highball glasses about halfway with ice, then strain the mixture into each glass, making sure to divide it evenly among the glasses. Top each glass with some of the ginger beer (about 2 or so ounces). Garnish if you like then enjoy!
Notes
- You can use any variety of grapefruit you like but if you want that lovely pinkish color, use a ruby red grapefruit.
- If you can’t find ginger beer, you can use ginger soda or ginger ale in its place. Ginger beer can typically be found with the other cocktail mixers or soft drinks.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: drink
