Description
This homemade grapefruit soda is a refreshing blend of tangy grapefruit juice, sweet simple syrup, and sparkling water, perfect for hot days. Enjoy it as a non-alcoholic drink or add vodka or gin for a spirited twist. Garnished with fresh mint, it’s a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large grapefruits
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of sparkling water (or club soda)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
- Optional: a splash of vodka or gin for an adult version
Instructions
- Wash the grapefruits under cool running water to remove any dirt or wax.
- Cut each grapefruit in half horizontally using a sharp knife.
- Juice each half into a bowl using a citrus juicer or reamer. If you dont have a juicer, use a fork to twist and press the fruit to extract the juice, being careful of the seeds.
- Strain the juice through a fine mesh sieve into a measuring cup to remove any pulp and seeds. You should have about 1 to 1.5 cups of fresh grapefruit juice.
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar completely dissolves (about 3-5 minutes).
- Remove from heat and let it cool. Store any leftover syrup in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a month.
- In a large pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed grapefruit juice with the cooled simple syrup. Stir well.
- Add the sparkling water (or club soda) to the pitcher and stir gently to combine, being careful not to lose too much carbonation.
- Taste the mixture and add more simple syrup if you prefer it sweeter.
- Fill tall glasses with ice cubes.
- Pour the grapefruit soda mixture over the ice, filling each glass about three-quarters full.
- Garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh mint.
- For an adult twist, add a splash of vodka or gin to each glass before pouring in the grapefruit soda. Stir gently to combine.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For a unique flavor, consider infusing the simple syrup with fresh herbs like basil or rosemary.
- Add slices of other fruits like oranges or lemons for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Freeze some grapefruit juice in ice cube trays to prevent your drink from getting watered down.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes