Looking for a fun, non-alcoholic citrus drink to enjoy? Try this Sparkling Citrus Mocktail! It uses three different types of citrus and sparkling water for a little fizz.
Perfect during prime citrus season for holidays like New Years, Christmas, and Easter, or for a brunch crowd at baby showers or wedding showers. You can also add a little champagne if you want to turn your mocktail into a cocktail.
Have a pregnant friend coming to an event you’re hosting? Or maybe it’s Dry January? Whatever the case, you can still serve (and consume!) fun citrus drinks that are non-alcoholic.
These are easy mocktails for a crowd because there’s really nothing much to them. While I recommended making some of the liquids yourself (like the lemon simple syrup), if you’re really short on time you can definitely buy everything at a store.
Plus they look pretty. And it’s always more fun to eat and drink food that looks pretty.
These sparkling mocktails go great with other brunch fare, like a gluten free frittata, apple cinnamon muffins, or even the overdone-but-still-delicious simple avocado toast. If you need more serving suggestions, check out this list of over 15 gluten free brunch ideas.
Ingredients
- Lime sparkling water – any brand will do, just make sure it’s unsweetened. You could also do a lemon-lime flavor, or an all-citrus flavor if that’s what’s available.
- Grapefruit juice – fresh squeezed is preferred, from 2 medium grapefruits, but you can use it from a bottle to save time. Again, just make sure it’s unsweetened.
- Lemon simple syrup – you can buy this or make it yourself by clicking on the link provided.
- Fresh raspberries and lime – for color and to garnish.
- Ice cubes – one to two cups, though these are optional.
How to make citrus mocktails
- Juice the grapefruit over the measuring cup until you have 8 ounces of juice, removing any seeds that may have gotten through. Pour the juice into the pitcher.
- Pour 4 ounces of lemon simple syrup into the pitcher, stirring with a spoon to combine all the liquids.
- Pour the unsweetened sparkling lime-flavored into the pitcher.
- If drink will be placed out of the fridge, place ice cubes into the mixture to keep it cool, using only a cup or two so as not to dilute the drink too much. Otherwise, pour it into glasses for serving.
- Place two raspberries in each drink.
- Add a small wedge of lime as a garnish, if desired, then serve!
Tips for this brunch mocktail
- Unless you’re seriously adverse to doing things in the kitchen, juice your own grapefruit. It will cost less than buying a jug of it, be less sugary, and taste better.
- Make this drink right before you’re going to serve it. You can make the syrup ahead of time, but wait to mix it all together. Otherwise the sparkling water will fizz out, which is not nearly as fun.
- If the mocktail will be sitting out, put some ice cubes in it but don’t put more than a cup or two. Otherwise it will water down the mixture and the flavor won’t be as good.
- To make a cocktail with this drink, just add an ounce or two (or more if you’re really partying it up) of champagne, prosecco, or cava. No need to be fancy with your alcohol here as the taste will be masked by the citrus, so going for the cheap stuff is fine.
- The recipe is for 8 servings of about 5 to 6 ounces each. If you need more you can easily double (or triple!) the recipe.
Pin this citrus mocktail recipe for later!
Now that you’ve got the drinks squared away, what else are you having at your brunch? If you need ideas, I’ve got you covered. Check these recipes out for some inspiration:
- Simple Egg Bake with Mushrooms, Leeks, and Sausage
- Gluten Free Cheese Board
- Cashew Grape Chicken Salad
- Gluten Free Poppyseed Pound Cake
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If you make end up making these brunch mocktails, then don’t forget to leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Sparkling Citrus Mocktail for a Brunch Crowd
Equipment
- Pitcher
Ingredients
- 32 ounces unsweetened sparkling lime-flavored water
- 8 ounces grapefruit juice fresh squeezed is preferred about 2 medium grapefruits
- 4 ounces lemon simple syrup
- 16 raspberries
- Lime wedges for garnish
- 1 to 2 cups of ice cubes optional
Instructions
- Juice the grapefruit over the measuring cup until you have 8 ounces of juice. Pour the juice into the pitcher.
- Pour the unsweetened sparkling lime-flavored water into the pitcher.
- Pour 4 ounces of lemon simple syrup into the pitcher, stirring with a spoon to combine all the liquids.
- If drink will be placed out of the fridge, place ice cubes into the mixture to keep it cool, using only a cup or two so as not to dilute the drink too much.
- Upon serving, pour the mixture into each glass and place two raspberries in each drink. Add a small wedge of lime as a garnish, if desired.
Notes
-
Unless you’re seriously adverse to doing things in the kitchen, juice your own grapefruit. It will cost less than buying a jug of it, be less sugary, and taste better.
-
Make this drink right before you’re going to serve it. You can make the syrup ahead of time, but wait to mix it all together. Otherwise the sparkling water will fizz out, which is not nearly as fun.
-
If the mocktail will be sitting out, put some ice cubes in it but don’t put more than a cup or two. Otherwise it will water down the mixture and the flavor won’t be as good.
-
To make a cocktail with this drink, just add an ounce or two (or more if you’re really partying it up) of champagne, prosecco, or cava. No need to be fancy with your alcohol here as the taste will be masked by the citrus, so going for the cheap stuff is fine.
-
The recipe is for 8 servings of about 5 to 6 ounces each. If you need more you can easily double (or triple!) the recipe.
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