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
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
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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.
