Skinny Grapefruit Paloma Spritzer Mocktail
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
This skinny non-alcoholic sparkling grapefruit mocktail surprises you with a bright citrus flavor, using fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, topped with ginger beer. A Paloma mocktail that is bubbly, crisp, and oh-so-refreshing!
With only five minutes of prep time, this pretty in pink Paloma mocktail recipe is an easy beverage to enjoy in the springtime and just as refreshing for summer. A fruity mocktail like this is an excellent way to unwind after a long day or melt into a guilt-free relaxing and well-deserved weekend.
I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, feel free to click “Jump to Recipe” right under the title of this post, and you’ll head straight there!
Why You Will Love this Grapefruit Mocktail
- Crisp and Refreshing – Grapefruit and lime with the subtle sweet notes from the sugared rim combine to make an irresistibly fresh beverage.
- Natural Ingredients – Using freshly squeezed grapefruit juice over the store-bought jug gives the recipe a more authentic flavor.
- Pink Drink – Grab a glass to celebrate with this beautiful pink non-alcoholic mocktail. Perfect for Easter, Mother’s day, Bridal showers and Baby showers!
Healthy Twist
- Alcohol-Free – A mocktail version of a Paloma spritzer, without the alcohol.
- Skinny Mocktail – With only a few simple ingredients this is a light, refreshing and flavorful skinny mocktail.
Key Ingredients for Paloma Mocktail
Ingredients, directions and nutritional information in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.
- Lime | Just one lime wedge is all you need to help the sugar stick to the rim and boost the flavor of this simple recipe.
- Ice | Have some crushed ice handy to keep the drink chilled for a refreshing experience.
- Grapefruit juice | Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice brings tart and sweet notes to the light and crisp mocktail.
- Ginger beer | A splash of ginger beer gives the recipe a subtle spice and lots of fizzy bubbles! If preferred, use sparkling water, sugar-free soda, your favorite mixer or club soda instead.
- Garnish | To garnish the drink, have some sugar for rimming the glass, lime slices, grapefruit slices, and a sprig of fresh rosemary.
How to Make a Non-Alcoholic Grapefruit Lime Spritzer
Step 1 | Rim the Glass
Start by adding sugar to your glass’s rim. First, pour the granulated sugar on a small plate.
Next, swipe the freshly cut lime wedge around the edge to wet the rim with the sweet and sour juice.
Then, turn the glass upside down and gently place it on the plate of sugar to coat the rim of the glass. Give it a few light swirls for plenty of sugar, then set it aside for later.
Step 2 | Juice the Fresh Fruits
Now, juice the delicious grapefruit, and keep the seeds out!
Using the same lime wedge you used to wet the rim, squeeze the rest of the juice into the empty glass.
Step 3 | Mix and Garnish
Finally, toss in the ice cubes, pour the freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, and add fizzy ginger beer. All that’s left to do is garnish the beverage with a lime and/or grapefruit slice and rosemary sprigs. Now, kick up your feet and enjoy the sweet citrus flavors!
Fresh Tips
- The amounts of grapefruit juice and ginger beer may change according to the size of your glass. But that’s no problem – Just keep the proportions to use equal parts.
- Feel free to adjust the proportions to your taste. Add more ginger beer for more apparent ginger spice, or add extra grapefruit juice for a brighter citrus flavor.
- Using a hand juicer or citrus press squeezer makes juicing the grapefruit much more manageable and keeps the seeds out.
Suppose grapefruit juice isn’t quite your jam. In that case, I have many other non-alcoholic drink recipes, like this Strawberry Refresher with sweet strawberry syrup and zippy lime juice.
Or Transport yourself to a tropical paradise with my Hibiscus Dark and Stormy Drink with or without rum. And finally this vibrant Blueberry Limeade Spritzer.
Variations & Substitutions
- Skinny Mocktail: This mocktail is already low in calories, but go a step further and use a sugar-free Ginger Beer, for the perfect taste!
- Grapefruit with a Twist: Swap the rosemary for basil and add grapefruit soda in place of the ginger beer and grapefruit juice, and you have a unique take on the same grapefruit flavor- much like this Grapefruit Basil Smash, with or without a splash of vodka.
- Make it Sweeter: If the bitter grapefruit and spicy ginger beer are a little too strong for your taste, you can add liquid cane sugar, agave or maple syrup to sweeten it up, or try making rosemary simple syrup.
- More Fruity Flavor: Consider adding another fruit juice, like papaya or pomegranate, or a dash of homemade blueberry or cranberry simple syrup.
- Mixer Variety | So you are not a fan of spicy ginger beer, try your favorite lemon-lime beverage, a grapefruit mixer or soda, even tonic water would be lovely!
Tips for Two
If you want to share this delicious beverage with someone special, you only need to double the ingredients. You can even make a pitcher to share by multiplying the measurements by four to six, depending on the size of the pitcher, see below.
Grapefruit Mocktail by the Pitcher
Follow these rough measurements to serve 4-6 people
- 12 ounces fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
- 12 ounces ginger beer << my favorite brand!
- 1 lime juiced
- 6 lime wedges and grapefruit wedges for garnish
- 6 rosemary sprigs for serving
- Ice for glasses
- Sugar for rims
Combine ginger beer, grapefruit juice and lime in pitcher, when ready to serve top with ginger beer and serve in sugar rimmed glasses, garnishing with lime or grapefruit wedges and a rosemary sprig.
Recommended Tools
- Coupe Glass – Use a variety of heights and glasses for serving this gorgeous non-alcoholic beverage.
- Cocktail Picks for garnish
- Ginger Beer, this is my favorite brand for this drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
Like any fruit, grapefruits have several health benefits. Grapefruits are packed with vitamins C and A. They can also help improve heart health, gut health, and cholesterol levels. Drinking freshly squeezed grapefruit juice is much healthier than choosing store-bought.
Both of these beverages are often enjoyed for a celebratory reason or to relax and are a mix of juices, sodas, syrups, or other ingredients. A cocktail includes some kind of alcohol, while a mocktail does not. They are also referred to as non-alcoholic, virgin or alcohol-free cocktails. Some mocktails are created to feel like having a classic alcoholic beverage, like a virgin pina colada.
Add some spirits to this non-alcoholic recipe. Traditionally, palomas include tequila, but this fruity mix also goes well with botanic gin or a lime-infused or grapefruit vodka.
Although juicers and juice presses are helpful, they are not necessary. To juice a grapefruit without any tools, roll it on the counter, applying firm pressure to break up the inside and soften it for juicing. Then, slice the fruit in half and use a wooden spoon or fork to press into the flesh, releasing the liquid.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate – What’s great about this grapefruit paloma spritzer recipe is you can make as much as you want and store it in the refrigerator for the week! If possible, leave the ginger beer out or refresh with a little ginger beer when you next serve it.
Make Ahead – Store the ginger beer and grapefruit juice separately and quickly make a fresh mocktail whenever you’re in the mood!
Can You Freeze Paloma Spritzers? Say you have some leftover Paloma mocktail, freeze in an airtight jar or baggie, leaving about an inch for expansion. When ready to enjoy, add to frozen drink to a blender, whirring until frosty! If desired, add a little float of fresh ginger beer for bubbles.
What to serve with a Paloma Mocktail
- For a brunch, how about these cinnamon rolls and this Hashbrown casserole.
- For a luncheon, this Southern Tuna salad or my Ramen noodle salad.
- This Key Lime Pie would be a beautiful citrus-added sweet treat!
- Peach Cobbler Pound Cake would be a stunning compliment
- Nothing Bundt Cake Copycat White Chocolate Raspberry Bundt Cake
Sugar the rims of the glasses ahead of time, so your guests can quickly and easily make up their own grapefruit mocktail.
Best Main Dishes for a Grapefruit Mocktail
Grapefruit pairs well with cheeses like goat cheese, nuts, and sweet marinades. Try serving your alcohol-free spritzer with my flavorful Blackberry Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese with avocado and crisp bacon crumbles, browse all my main dish recipes.
Philly Cheesesteak Sliders Recipe
A sensational twist on a much-loved classic, this Philly Cheesesteak Sliders recipe packs all the savory and cheesy flavors of a traditional Philly sandwich into just a couple of bites! Kick up your game day menu with these easy shaved steak sliders.
Asian Marinated Grilled Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Tender, tangy, Asian pork marinade; super easy to put together for a quick weeknight meal. Freeze for an ready made meal.
You could also enjoy these mocktails for brunch with this delectable Copycat Honeybaked Ham and this Hashbrown Quiche.
Best Appetizers to Serve with Grapefruit and Lime Spritzer
Browse through all of my appetizer recipes for something to compliment the bitter-sweet grapefruit and ginger beer drink.
Whipped Goat Cheese with Bacon & Dates
With tangy whipped goat cheese, savory bacon, and sweet dates, this is one goat cheese appetizer that absolutely can’t be beat. And with so much room to customize, you can make it entirely your own. Dip into this tantalizing first course with warm toasted bread and say hello to your go-to holiday appetizer from here on out!
Cowboy Crack Dip Recipe (Hot or Cold)
Not your average Philadelphia cream cheese dip recipe. Cowboy Crack Dip is cheesy, creamy, savory, and fresh — the perfect appetizer. This Crack Dip recipe is a classic appetizer ideal for your next party; like the big game, holiday get-togethers, a clear party favorite!
The sky is the limit for what you can make to compliment this bright and refreshing mocktail, be sure to also try my personal favorite; Charcuterie Cups.
Our favorite cocktails and mocktail recipes
- Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail– Fresh apple butter, classic apple cider, rich vanilla, and orange flavors beautifully blend with bourbon
- Irish Mule– Full of shenanigans, enjoy fresh muddled mint, crisp, clean whiskey, and lime juice, finished with spicy, bubbly ginger beer.
- This Elderflower French 75 would be a beautiful drink to serve alongside your Paloma mocktail.
- Serve up this Pink Lemonade Vodka Cocktail with the vodka on the side for your guests!
I hope you loved this Alcohol-Free Grapefruit Paloma Spritzer recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and comment below the recipe!
Easy Grapefruit Paloma Spritzer Mocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 ounces grapefruit juice, freshed squeezed is best
- 3 ounces ginger beer
- 1/4 medium lime, use to wet rim for sugar and squeeze into glass
- ice, crushed or cubed
Optional
- sugar, for rimming glasses
- 1 lime, wheel or wedge for garnish
- grapefruit, slice for garnish
- fresh rosemary, for garnish
Instructions
- Pour some granulated sugar on a small plate, sweeping a wedge of lime around the rim of the glass. Turn the glass upside down and place it on the plate of sugar to coat the rim of the glass, giving it a few light swirls to get plenty of sugar. Set aside.
- Juice the grapefruit, removing any seeds.
- Using the same lime wedge you used to wet the rim, squeeze the rest of it into the glass.
- Add ice, grapefruit juice, and ginger beer. Garnish with fresh lime and/or fresh rosemary and a half wheel of fresh grapefruit if desired.
✱ Kathleen’s Tips
- 12 ounces fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
- 12 ounces ginger beer << my favorite brand!
- 1 lime juiced
- 6 lime wedges and grapefruit wedges for garnish
- 6 rosemary sprigs for serving
- Ice for glasses
- Sugar for rims
- The amounts of grapefruit juice and ginger beer may change according to the size of the glass that you use, keep the proportions to use equal parts.
- Feel free to adjust the proportions to your taste– more ginger beer for more bite, more grapefruit juice for more citrus flavor.
- Using a hand juicer or citrus press makes juicing the grapefruit easy and keeps the seeds out.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
About Kathleen Pope
Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer
Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.
This was such a fun mocktail to make at home! I actually served it to my kids as a “fancy drink” and they loved it!
I love that!!
This cocktail sounds so delicious! And I am loving the color of it. 🙂
So bright and fresh!
PERFECT timing, I’m trying to give up my nightly glass of wine and I need inspiration!
You will love it!
My friend made these the other day, and they were stunning! Can’t wait to make them myself now.
Yay! So glad you loved it!
I need this cocktail so badly right now. It certainly looks like a cocktail boss LOL
Thank you!!
A fresh cocktail that makes me forget I’m not having a glass of wine! Delicious.
Thanks!!