Looking for a refreshing, alcohol-free drink? This Grapefruit Sage Tonic Mocktail brings together tangy citrus and herbal notes in one delicious glass.

The simple combination of fresh grapefruit juice, sage-infused syrup, and tonic water creates a sophisticated mocktail that’s perfect for any occasion.

The bright pink color makes this drink as beautiful as it is tasty. Plus, it takes less than 10 minutes to prepare. Guests will never miss the alcohol with these complex flavors dancing on their taste buds.

Grapefruit Sage Tonic Mocktail Recipe

This refreshing mocktail combines the tartness of grapefruit with aromatic sage and bubbly tonic water for a sophisticated alcohol-free drink option.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

Cocktail shaker
Muddler or wooden spoon

Jigger or measuring cup
Citrus juicer
Fine-mesh strainer

Highball glass
Ice cube tray
Bar spoon

Ingredients

3 oz fresh grapefruit juice about ½ medium grapefruit
4-5 fresh sage leaves plus extra for garnish
½ oz honey simple syrup equal parts honey and hot water, cooled

4 oz tonic water
Ice cubes
Grapefruit wedge or twist for garnish

For best results, use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice rather than bottled options.

Instructions

Prepare the sage: Place 4-5 sage leaves in the bottom of your cocktail shaker and gently muddle to release the oils.
Add liquid ingredients: Pour grapefruit juice and honey simple syrup into the shaker.
Add ice and shake: Fill the shaker halfway with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well-chilled.

Strain the mixture: Use a fine mesh strainer to pour the mixture into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
Add tonic water: Top with tonic water and stir gently with a bar spoon to combine.
Garnish and serve: Add a grapefruit wedge and fresh sage leaf as garnish.

The mocktail is best served immediately while the tonic water is still fizzy.

Notes

This recipe can be easily adjusted to suit different tastes. For a sweeter drink, increase the honey simple syrup to ¾ oz.

Non-alcoholic gin alternatives can be added (½ oz) for complexity. Try infusing the simple syrup with sage for 30 minutes for a stronger herb flavor.

Store leftover sage leaves wrapped in damp paper towels in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for about one week.

For a make-ahead option, combine the grapefruit juice, muddled sage, and simple syrup up to 24 hours in advance, but add tonic water just before serving.

Must Have Ingredients

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Tasting Notes

The Grapefruit Sage Tonic Mocktail offers a bright, refreshing flavor profile that balances tartness with herbal notes. The grapefruit provides a zesty citrus base that’s both sweet and slightly bitter.

Fresh sage adds an earthy, aromatic quality that complements the citrus rather than overwhelming it. This herb brings a subtle woodsy character that deepens the drink’s complexity.

The tonic water introduces a pleasant effervescence along with its characteristic quinine bitterness, which works well with the grapefruit’s natural tartness.

Flavor Profile:

First sip: Bright grapefruit with hints of sage

Mid-palate: Herbal notes develop with gentle bitterness
Finish: Clean, refreshing with lingering citrus

This mocktail presents a beautiful amber-pink hue when made with ruby red grapefruit juice. The sage garnish adds visual appeal and releases aromatics with each sip.

The drink tastes best when well-chilled. Ice dilution actually helps marry the flavors, softening the grapefruit’s acidity while maintaining its distinct character.

The mocktail’s flavor changes subtly as you drink it. Early sips highlight the bright citrus, while later sips reveal more herbal complexity as the ingredients blend.

Substitutes

If you don’t have all the ingredients for the Grapefruit Sage Tonic Mocktail, there are several easy swaps you can make.

No grapefruit? Try blood orange, pomelo, or ruby red grapefruit juice instead. Each offers a similar tart-sweet profile that works well in this recipe.

Sage can be replaced with rosemary, basil, or thyme if needed. These herbs provide different but complementary flavors that pair nicely with citrus.

For a completely different twist, try pineapple juice instead of grapefruit and mint instead of sage. This creates a tropical variation of the original mocktail.

Remember that substituting ingredients will change the flavor profile. Start with smaller amounts of your substitute ingredients and adjust to taste.

Grapefruit Sage Tonic Mocktail Recipe