Grapefruit Thyme Mocktail for the Holidays
Grapefruit Thyme Mocktail for the Holidays
This Grapefruit Thyme Mocktail is perfect for a holiday party, thanks to sweet-and-tart fruit, pineapple juice and fizzy ginger beer. You won't even miss the alcohol!
If you've been around here for a while, you probably know that I'm a big fan of making unique and delicious homemade mocktails. From Blackberry Lime Mocktails to Gingerbread Eggnog Mocktails, I just love serving my guests seasonal sips that make them feel great.
And this fizzy ginger and grapefruit drink is my go-to for a holiday party. It's sweet, tangy and so flavorful!
Grapefruit Thyme Simple Syrup
This drink gets its sweetness and underlying herby flavors from a grapefruit and thyme simple syrup.
It's flavored with thyme leaves and strips of grapefruit peel. The syrup is naturally sweetened with vegan 'honey' and organic pure cane sugar (which is optional).
To make a flavored simple syrup, you just boil and steep the ingredients to create a burst of flavor before sweetening it.
It takes about 30 minutes for things to fully infuse and cool nicely, and once done—the steps following are way too easy to not try it!
Plus, you can store leftover simple syrup in a glass jar in the fridge for weeks!
Making Grapefruit Holiday Mocktails
After you've made the thyme and grapefruit simple syrup to sweeten your holiday mocktails, putting the drinks together is a snap.
Simply fill your glasses with crushed ice. Add the simple syrup to taste, then top with fresh grapefruit juice and pineapple juice. If you like some fizz, top each glass with a floater of ginger beer. And finally, for garnish, don't forget the fresh citrus segments and some thyme leaves.
Sip and Enjoy!
Health Benefits of Grapefruit
The main benefit of grapefruit is that is has high nutritional value but is low in carbs. In addition, it has a decent amount of fiber and comes jam-packed with Vitamins.
Here are some other health benefits of fresh grapefruit, which is especially beneficial around the holidays:
- Great for your Immune System. (Think high sources of Vitamin C!)
- May help to promote Appetite Control. (Diets high in fiber helps to keep you more full, resulting in less frequent eating!)
- May help with weight loss. (Since they are few in calories and contain more water, they aide in weight loss!)
- Possibility of preventing Insulin Resistance. (This generally reduces your chances of Diabetes.)
- May improve Heart Health! (Consuming Grapefruit daily may help to prevent Blood Pressure and reduce Cholesterol.)
- High in Powerful Antioxidants!
- Very Hydrating. (Think high water content which is awesome for our bodies!)
Vegan Honey
I know. So the moment that you saw Honey, I'm sure that you thought to yourself---"how the heck is this vegan"? But, it is.
That's because I use a Vegan Honey called Bee Free Honee. It's actually made from organic apples.
It's perfect for those who are eating a Vegan diet, allergic to honey, children, and it has no preservatives, GMOs, or gluten. DYNAMITE!
Of course, if you don't care for it to be Vegan approved, then you can feel free to use regular honey.
More Citrus Drink Recipes
- Healthy Blood Orange Kiwi Drink uses all natural and organic ingredients, all in just under 10 minutes TOPS! It’s certainly the best drink of the spring and summer seasons.
- For a warmer citrus quench of your thirst, this Lemon Blackberry Mint Tea is EVERYTHING! It’s all about the bold mint flavors paired with the bit of tartness from the lemon and slight sweetness from the blackberries.
- This Homemade Slow Cooker Apple Cider is the epitome of the sweet-smelling Fall season. It’s super easy to make (just set it and forget it!), requires only a handful of ingredients, warm and comforting. Bold apple flavor, a hint of citrus, warm spices, and naturally sweetened (if preferred). Can be enjoyed hot or cold. All vegan and gluten-free.
- This Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria is a perfectly refreshing way to kick things off for the Holidays. Packed with a ton of sweet, Fall/Winter flavors—this recipe is the right way to enjoy a cup of non-alcoholic sangria.
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Honey Grapefruit Holiday Mocktail
Ingredients
MOCKTAILS:
- 2 cups pure 100% pineapple juice
- 1 cup freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice (That's about 3 large grapefruits)
- 1 blood orange, freshly-squeezed
- handful of basil or thyme sprigs
- ⅓ cup raw honey
- ginger beer, for topping (You can also use another frizzy drink)
GARNISH:
- Pomegranate arils
- Pineapple chunks, optional
- Grapefruit wedges
- Fresh basil leaves (You can substitute w/ thyme sprigs)
Instructions
TO MAKE MOCKTAILS:
- In a pitcher, put together the grapefruit juice, blood orange juice, pineapple juice, honey, and basil, mixing everything together and slightly crushing the basil leaves to bring out the flavor.
- ASSEMBLY: For each drink, fill an 8-ounce glass halfway with crushed ice. Add ½ cup of the mocktail mixture and garnish with sliced grapefruit wedges, pineapple chunks (if desired), pomegranate arils, and fresh basil (or thyme sprigs). Top with ginger beer until the glass is filled.
- Sip and Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- SWEETENER: You can always make this vegan by substituting the honey with Agave, maple syrup, or Bee Free 'Honee'.
- GRAPEFRUIT THYME SIMPLE SYRUP: Originally this recipe was focused on the grapefruit thyme flavors, however, I recently revamped this recipe to include a basil option without using a simple syrup. However, if you prefer using a simple syrup, you'll need the following: 4 cups filtered water, skin peel of 1 large grapefruit, 1 grapefruit (freshly-squeezed), handful of thyme sprigs, and ½ cup honey. In a pot, bring all ingredients (except for honey) to a boil for 3-4 minutes. Remove pot from heat, cover with a pot lid, and let everything steep for 15-20 minutes. Stir in honey and continue recipe for mocktails. Use 1 cup of simple syrup for each mocktail.
Nutrition
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This recipe description speaks at length about the grapefruit and thyme simple syrup but I say zero instructions for making the grapefruit and thyme simple syrup. 🤔. Is this grapefruit and thyme simple syrup recipe something you post somewhere other than with this particular recipe? Or maybe I skipped over it, but as it is not in the recipe instructions whatsoever… Grapefruit and thyme simple syrup does not seem to be a part of this recipe? So I’m very confused about the name of this mocktail! If you can illuminate further that would be wonderful 🙂 (The only thing I can find mentioned about the simple syrup is to allow the simple syrup ingredients to infuse together for 30 minutes, but the exact ingredients are not listed anywhere. And in the recipe instructions, it does not include adding the simple syrup. From the recipe, it looks more like a “grapefruit pineapple basil” mocktail 😊)
Hi Mary! Thanks so much for your feedback! I do apologize for any confusion! This recipe was recently revamped, which now includes a basil option. However, I've since added a bit of Notes for the Simple Syrup option for you! Happy Holidays! 🙂
Mocktails are one of my best options when chilling out with friends. This one looks awesome and sounds yummy too. I love the Citrusy flavor too.
A beautiful idea for the holidays I enjoy citrusy drinks and this hit the mark. Making it for the NYE party!
What a sweet and refreshing cocktail! Taking Sunday Funday to a whole new level! Delish!
The perfect cozy, holiday cocktail. The grapefruit adds a citrusy twist
This is a way better way to enjoy grapefruit than my usual lame simply 100% grapefruit. Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe. 🙂
Omg! These sounds amazing, I think that I may use them for my gift wrapping party on the 19th. Thanks so much for sharing.