Description
This Merry Christmas Mocktail is a festive and refreshing non-alcoholic drink, perfect for holiday gatherings. It combines the tartness of pomegranate and grapefruit juices with the spicy kick of ginger beer, all served in a glass with a decorative spiced sugar rim.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar (or sparkling sugar)
- 1 tablespoon grapefruit zest (from about 1 fresh grapefruit)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- Ice cubes
- 3 ounces pomegranate juice
- 2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice (from about 1/2 fresh grapefruit)
- 6 ounces ginger beer, chilled
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate arils (seeds), for garnish
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Spiced Sugar Rim: Pour the turbinado sugar (or sparkling sugar) into a shallow dish. Zest the grapefruit directly over the sugar, then add the freshly grated nutmeg. Mix the sugar, zest, and nutmeg together well.
- Rim the Glass: Take a wedge of grapefruit (leftover from juicing) and rub it along the rim of a highball glass (or other festive glass). Dip the moistened rim into the sugar mixture, pressing gently to coat the rim evenly.
- Fill Glass with Ice: Fill the garnished glass about 3/4 full with ice cubes.
- Add Juices: Pour the pomegranate juice and grapefruit juice into the glass over the ice.
- Top with Ginger Beer: Top off the drink with the chilled ginger beer.
- Stir Gently: Stir the mixture gently with a stirrer or long spoon to combine the ingredients without losing too much carbonation.
- Garnish: Add the pomegranate arils and a sprig of fresh rosemary to the glass for garnish.
- Serve: Serve cold.
Notes
- Sugar Rim: Turbinado or sparkling sugar creates a nice texture and sparkle on the rim. Freshly grated nutmeg has the best flavor.
- Fresh Juices: Using fresh grapefruit juice provides the best flavor.
- Ginger Beer: Ginger beer is non-alcoholic and has a spicier ginger flavor than ginger ale. Choose a brand you enjoy.
- Serving: Serve immediately while cold and bubbly.
- Alcoholic Version: For an alcoholic version, you could add 1.5-2 ounces of vodka or gin.
- Storage: This mocktail is best enjoyed immediately.