Even though spring has officially arrived, it’s hard to feel it amidst the rain and snow flurries. Here in the Lower Mainland, the days are still cold, with frosty mornings and unpredictable weather. March tends to keep us guessing—sunny and breezy one day, rainy and gloomy the next.
Still, nature has her quiet, beautiful ways of reminding us that spring is just around the corner.
Through my lovely daffodils…
…and the delicate pink buds on the peach tree, bravely pushing through the chill.
I can’t think of a better way to welcome spring than with a dusky pink grapefruit spritzer—refreshing, citrusy, and alcohol-free. Happy Spring!
I’m always on the lookout for simple, non-alcoholic drinks to serve at dinner parties or summer barbecues. When I came across a citrusy juice recipe on 101 Cookbooks, it immediately reminded me of a drink from back home. We used to make a similar blend with lemon, ginger, and honey—a soothing remedy for everything from menstrual cramps to colds and stomach troubles.
In summer, my mother kept sweet ginger syrup in the fridge, ready to add to lemonade or a chilled mango drink. Inspired by that memory and the 101 Cookbooks recipe, I combined the two to create this refreshing grapefruit spritzer.
Grapefruits are a fantastic source of Vitamin C all year round, and the pink varieties are rich in Vitamin A. The natural tartness of grapefruit juice and the zing of ginger give this spritzer its bright, lively flavor. I added soda for a fizzy twist—kids love the soft pop taste, and it’s a great way to enjoy fresh juice in a fun way.
Want to turn it into a cocktail? Just add your favorite spirit!
GINGER GRAPEFRUIT SPRITZER
adapted from 101 cookbooks
Ingredients:
- 300 ml fresh (pink or ruby red) grapefruit juice
- 3-4 tbsp sweet ginger syrup (I used 2 tbsp per glass)
- 1 can club soda
- ice cubes
- mint leaves for garnish
Method to make sweet ginger syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup grated ginger, 1/3 cup water and 1/4 cup sugar.
Heat it over medium; allow to come to a gentle boil, stirring until sugar dissolves, simmer on low for 2-3 minutes.
Let it cool. Strain sweet ginger syrup and discard the ginger.
Chill in fridge or place in freezer for few minutes to cool.
Method to make Grapefruit Spritzer:
1. Pour ginger syrup and grapefruit juice equally in two glasses.
2. Top it with club soda.
3. Serve chilled with ice and mint leaves.
Store the remaining sweet ginger syrup in the fridge It can stay good for 15 days or more.
Choc Chip Uru
What a beautiful spring drink – the flavours and presentation are fabulous! And I must say, if this drink doesn’t bring about a proper spring what will?
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Malti
Can I have the other glass? beautiful pink drink.
Choc Chip Uru
I have awarded you my friend because you deserve it through your blogging and food commitment 😀
Enjoy and congrats!
http://gobakeyourself.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/nothing-says-thank-you-like-ice-cream/
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Baker Street
I just checked. I have all the ingredients at home. Think I’m going to make me a spritzer. YUM!
Tina
I do have a big bag of grapefruits that I am getty ready to use, but I am sure I will have some left over. This looks like a refreshing way to make use of them. Tasty blend here with the ginger. Spring is here already in Texas, I hope your area warms up soon.
Kiri W.
I am always apprehensive of grapefruit because I do so poorly with bitter/sour foods, but I love the color and the fact that there’s ginger in these. Very pretty!
Liz
I really want to try this it sounds interesting but I can’t really imagine how it would taste.
mireia badia
Looks refreshing and delicious!
Nava.K
Just like you I still remember some of the concoction my mum used to make for the monthly cramps I used to have.
Grapefruit used to make this lovely spritzer I can agree on the taste and goodness, what more the tinge of ginger inside. I am admiring the drink as shown in the pics of yours with that pale pink color blooming.
Swathi Iyer
My plants are trying to come back. Nice post. I am not a fan of grape fruit. May this drink make it better tasting one.
Juliana
Great drink and lovely color…indeed a great Spring welcome.
Hope you are having a wonderful week 🙂
Cucina49
Ooh, another great grapefruit recipe. This spritzer looks absolutely delightful–ginger and grapefruit are such a great combination!
anne
Looks really refreshing and the color’s beautiful ! I love grapefruit and ginger but haven’t mixed it together 😀
Kit @ i-lostinausten
I just bought some grapefruits this morning! Will try this recipe in the afternoon. Really love the color, my favorite color.. pink! Have a great weekend, Balvinder! 🙂
Medeja
It’s an interesting combination of ginger and grapefruit, was that enough sugar?
Tina (PinayInTexas)
Your ginger grapefruit spritzer looks very refreshing, Balvinder! What a great post to welcome spring!
easyfoodsmith
The moment I laid my eyes on those two glasses I fell in love with this drink. It looks so refreshing especially to beat the Bombay heat! The best thing about ginger, honey and lemon is that you can club them with almost any fruit and make a yummy drink.
Asmita
Love the color and looks like such a refreshing treat.
Katherine Martinelli
What a delightful drink! It really is perfect for spring.
Marina@Picnic at Marina
Hi Balvinder! I’ve missed you for quite some time, wasn’t able to connect to your blog for some reason, and am sure glad I am here. Lovely grapefruit spritzer, refreshing, cool, and delicious! I made some changes to my blog, come see it. Let me know what you think, please…:)
Asian-spice mix
Wow,,,I love this drinks recipe very much because non alcohol,is very refreshing !!
Ridwan
Tiffany
This looks so refreshing!
Ansh
Confession – I have never eaten a grapefruit :)) But I know I must do it now. this drink sounds like the best way to start 😀
Nami | Just One Cookbook
Beautiful drink reminding me of sakura (cherry blossoms)!! 🙂
Lizzy
Oh, this sounds so yummy! I adore grapefruit…and it’s been so delicious this year. We’ve skipped spring and gone straight into summer…I woke up to thunderstorms and we’ll reach 80º today! Happy Sunday, my friend.
Carmen Anderson
These look absolutely delish! They are perfect for summer days! By the way, Balvinder, I really love your blog and I am pleased to tell you that I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award and a Happy Blogger Award (you blog makes me very happy!). Please check out my latest post to receive your award! Have a great day! Carmen
Dara Reppucci
This looks great. I love ginger in anything.
mjskit
What a great idea to use grapefruit juice with the ginger syrup! I have, actually I keep a bottle of ginger syrup in the fridge all year round. I usually just add mineral water (and sometimes Jamaican rum 🙂 ). Now I need to pick up some grapefruit juice because this looks sooooo good!
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen
What a wonderfully refreshing flavor combination! Delicious
mary x
Jay
lovely cliks…awesome dear
Tasty Appetite
Blackswan
It’s always nice to be able to enjoy the four seasons, isn’t it? Love the pinky colour, Bal! You do know pink if one of my fave colours, don’t you? Hahaha!