bitter & wise - a low or no ABV grapefruit sage spritz
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Welp, it is January - and for many that means no booze or less booze! While I am not partaking in dry January, I firmly believe that cocktails are about so much more than alcohol, and there is definitely a place for delicious booze-free beverages. There is something special about crafting something unique and complex drink for you and your loved ones to enjoy. So I figured it was time to properly enter the world of no ABV cocktails, also known as mocktails, a name I don’t personally love. Honestly, there has to be a better name out there?!? Please let me know if you find one. Also, if you are looking for an alcoholic cocktail with tequila and grapefruit, I recommend the sparkling paloma cocktail!
Anyway, if you are partaking in dry January, this is a delicious and versatile no ABV cocktail if you want a drink that feels celebratory without the buzz. A combination of winter citrus and herbs, the bitter & wise grapefruit sage spritz works with sparkling water or champagne, so everyone is happy! This makes it the perfect choice for a mixed group or party - you can mix the sage simple syrup + grapefruit juice and let folks decide if they’d rather top it off with prosecco or perrier.
Dry January
The first official Dry January took place in the UK in 2013, though I imagine a less formal and organized version of it has existed for much longer. Often after weeks of holiday parties and rich foods, folks are interested in a bit of a reset, and they decide to ditch the booze. I feel like I naturally drink a little less in January, but have never made an official effort to avoid it all together. Are you taking the month of January off from drinking alcohol, or have you done so in the past? How did it feel? Let me know in the comments below!
Winter Citrus
winter citrus & pomegranates
image found via Unsplash courtesy of engin akyurt
This is a great time of year to indulge in all things winter citrus! Citrus is just the thing you need in the dark winter months - they are bright, vitamin packed, and fresh! Some examples of winter citrus include limes, lemons, grapefruit, mandarins, and oranges. There is honestly so much variety in citrus as well, for example, in the mandarin family there are clementines, tangerines, and satsumas! In the orange family, you have navel, blood, and cara cara. The differences sound subtle but the citrus really are quite vibrant and unique. Play around with them in your cocktails and see how they change depending on the type you use! For this beverage, we used a ruby red grapefruit, which is tart, sweet, and a bit bitter. What’s your favorite type of winter citrus?
Juicing a grapefruit
Okay honestly, a grapefruit can be challenging to juice. They are a big ass fruit, and a classic lemon or lime squeezer just doesn’t cut it. There are a few solid methods though.
The old fashioned way is to simply cut your grapefruit into quarters and twist a fork in the center while squeezing to expel all the juice. If you prefer to not use a fork, one of these citrus reamers would also be great. In fact they are the only thing my brother in law will use when making pitchers of margaritas for my family that require a LOT of fresh lime juice. Some folks use a fancy electric citrus juicer such as this one, which probably work great! I tend to try to go for smaller kitchen tools when I can though as I hate having to try to find space for bulky appliances. I sometimes use one of these manual squeezers, but today I felt like rolling my sleeves up and using the good old fork and knife method. Honestly, I think it mostly comes down to preference. Do you have a preferred method?
Sage Syrup
A flavored simple syrup really does so much to add complexity to a drink, and this sage syrup is no exception. Simply combine one part water, one part sugar, and one part fresh sage leaves. Boil on the stove until the sugar dissolves and you’re good to go! You will of course want to chill the syrup before putting it in the drink, or you risk warming your drink down. This can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.
How to make a bitter & wise
Make the sage syrup and chill. Grab a rocks glass and add ice, then pour your sage syrup and grapefruit juice in and stir to combine. Next, top with sparkles of your choosing! If you’d like a no ABV version, go with some sparkling water from a soda stream or your favorite bottled brand. If you want a bit of booze top with sparkling wine! If you want to throw a splash of vodka in there as well I won’t tell! Top with a healthy sprig of sage and a grapefruit slice and enjoy!
So there you have it! A seasonal winter cocktail with low ABV and no ABV options! Let me know in the comments below if you try it! And be sure to let me by tagging Kindred Spirits on Instagram @ kindred.spirits.cocktails!
