The first time I made this Grapefruit Thyme Fizz mocktail, I knew I had created something special. The bright, tangy grapefruit juice pairs perfectly with the subtle earthy notes of fresh thyme in a way that feels both refreshing and sophisticated.
What I love most is how simple it is to make: just a quick homemade thyme syrup, fresh grapefruit juice, and sparkling water. It's the perfect non-alcoholic option that doesn't feel like you're missing out on anything.
Why I Love This
- Quick & Easy: Create a café-quality mocktail at home in just minutes with simple ingredients and no special bartending skills
- Wellness-Focused: Low in calories and sugar while high in vitamin C and antioxidants from fresh grapefruit
- Customizable: Easily adjust sweetness levels or substitute ingredients based on dietary preferences
- Impressive Presentation: The beautiful pink hue and fresh thyme garnish make this mocktail perfect for entertaining
- Versatile: Works beautifully for brunch, afternoon refreshment, or as an evening non-alcoholic option
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the thyme syrup up to a week in advance for quick assembly
Ingredients
I chose these ingredients for a reason: they create the perfect balance of flavors. The tangy grapefruit provides a refreshing citrus base that's not as sweet as orange juice but not as sour as lemon. Fresh thyme adds an unexpected herbal note that elevates this from an ordinary juice drink to something special.
The subtle sweetness from the simple syrup balances the tartness of the grapefruit, while the sparkling water adds that delightful fizz that makes this mocktail feel like a true treat. Together, these simple ingredients create a sophisticated drink that's both refreshing and satisfying.
For the Thyme Syrup (makes enough for 4-5 mocktails):
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon Stevia (or sweetener of choice - see notes for substitutions)
- ½ cup fresh thyme sprigs (approximately 8-10 sprigs with stems)
For Each Mocktail:
- 1 tablespoon thyme syrup
- ½ cup fresh grapefruit juice (approximately 1 medium pink grapefruit)
- ⅓ cup soda water (unflavored sparkling water)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh thyme sprig and grapefruit slice or wedge for garnish
Equipment
- Small Saucepan: For preparing the thyme-infused simple syrup
- Fine Mesh Strainer: To filter out the thyme leaves after infusion, ensuring a smooth syrup
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For precise ingredient measurements
- Citrus Juicer or Reamer: To extract fresh grapefruit juice (optional but recommended)
- Highball or Rocks Glass: For serving your finished mocktail
- Bar Spoon or Long Spoon: For gentle stirring without disrupting carbonation
- Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: For preparing garnishes
How To make
- Heat water and sweetener in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until dissolved. Add thyme sprigs, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes. Strain out the thyme and let the syrup cool completely.
- To make your mocktail, add 1 tablespoon of the cooled thyme syrup and ½ cup grapefruit juice to a glass. Fill with ice, pour in ⅓ cup sparkling water, and stir gently. Garnish with a fresh thyme sprig and grapefruit slice if desired. The leftover syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week to make more drinks later.
Substitutions
- Sweetener Options:
- Regular sugar: Use 1 cup sugar to 1 cup water for the syrup
- Honey: ¾ cup honey to 1 cup water (adds a complementary floral note)
- Agave nectar: ¾ cup to 1 cup water
- Monk fruit sweetener: Follow package instructions for sugar equivalence
- Erythritol: Use 1¼ cups to 1 cup water (less sweet than sugar)
- Herb Variations:
- Substitute rosemary for thyme for an equally delicious but different flavor profile
- Try fresh basil or mint for a completely different twist
- Lavender works beautifully with grapefruit (use 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender)
- Citrus Options:
- Blood orange juice for a different visual and flavor experience
- Mix of grapefruit and orange juice for a less tart profile
- Add a splash of lime juice (1-2 teaspoons) for extra brightness
- Sparkling Water Alternatives:
- Ginger ale for a spicy-sweet variation (reduce or omit syrup)
- Coconut water for a tropical twist (still version)
- Tonic water for a more complex, slightly bitter profile
- Boozy Conversion:
- Add 1.5 oz gin or vodka for an alcoholic version
- Substitute prosecco or champagne for the sparkling water
- Add 1 oz Aperol for a low-alcohol spritz variation
Pro Tips
- Use Pink Grapefruit: Pink or ruby red varieties offer a sweeter flavor profile and more vibrant color than white grapefruit.
- Chill Everything: Pre-chill your glass, grapefruit juice, and sparkling water for an extra-refreshing drink.
- Garnish Artfully: Slap the thyme sprig between your palms before garnishing to release more aromatic oils.
- Syrup Consistency: The thyme syrup should be slightly thickened but still pourable. If it's too thick, add a splash of warm water.
- Serving Suggestion: For parties, prepare the thyme syrup and fresh grapefruit juice ahead of time, then set up a DIY mocktail station.
- Grapefruit Selection: Choose grapefruits that feel heavy for their size, indicating juiciness.
- Flavor Intensity: For a more pronounced thyme flavor, gently bruise the thyme before adding it to the syrup.
- Balanced Sweetness: Always taste and adjust the sweetness before serving, as grapefruit varieties can vary in tartness.
FAQ
You can prepare the thyme syrup up to a week in advance and squeeze the grapefruit juice a day before. Store both refrigerated in separate airtight containers. Only add the sparkling water just before serving to maintain carbonation.
Yes! This mocktail is caffeine-free and alcohol-free. However, some pregnant women may need to limit grapefruit consumption due to potential interactions with certain medications. Always consult with your healthcare provider.
If you find the grapefruit too tart, increase the thyme syrup to 1.5 or 2 tablespoons per serving, or add 1 tablespoon of fresh orange juice to balance the acidity.
While fresh thyme provides the best flavor, you can substitute 3 tablespoons of dried thyme for the ½ cup fresh. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious.
A slightly cloudy appearance is normal due to the natural oils from the thyme. If it bothers you, strain the syrup through a coffee filter for ultra-clarity.
With Stevia, this mocktail is relatively low in carbs but grapefruit juice does contain natural sugars. For a more keto-friendly version, reduce the grapefruit juice to ¼ cup and increase the sparkling water accordingly.
Yes, though fresh juice provides the best flavor. If using bottled, choose 100% juice with no added sugars for the closest taste to the original recipe.
Using Stevia instead of traditional simple syrup saves approximately 50-75 calories per serving.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Grapefruit Thyme Fizz
Ingredients
For the Thyme Syrup (makes enough for 4-5 mocktails):
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon Stevia or sweetener of choice - see notes for substitutions
- ½ cup fresh thyme sprigs approximately 8-10 sprigs with stems
For Each Mocktail:
- 1 tablespoon thyme syrup
- ½ cup fresh grapefruit juice approximately 1 medium pink grapefruit
- ⅓ cup soda water unflavored sparkling water
- Ice cubes
- Fresh thyme sprig and grapefruit slice or wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Heat water and sweetener in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until dissolved. Add thyme sprigs, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes. Strain out the thyme and let the syrup cool completely.
- To make your mocktail, add 1 tablespoon of the cooled thyme syrup and ½ cup grapefruit juice to a glass. Fill with ice, pour in ⅓ cup sparkling water, and stir gently. Garnish with a fresh thyme sprig and grapefruit slice if desired. The leftover syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week to make more drinks later.
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