How do I make this drink less tart?

Increase the honey to 3 tablespoons, or use a sweeter variety of grapefruit like Oro Blanco or a pink/red grapefruit to reduce sharpness.

Can I turn this into a cocktail?

Absolutely — add 1½ ounces of vodka, gin, or silver tequila per glass. Muddle the mint and honey as directed, then build the spritzer.

Why add a pinch of salt to a sweet drink?

A tiny pinch of salt reduces perceived bitterness from the grapefruit and enhances the sweetness of the honey and fruit, just like in a salted margarita.

How long does the juice base keep?

The grapefruit-lime-mint base (without sparkling water) can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Add fizz just before serving.

Can I make this spritzer in a pitcher for a party?

Yes — multiply the ingredients by the number of servings. Mix the base in the pitcher, then add sparkling water and ice right before serving to keep it fizzy.

Home / Recipes / american / Grapefruit & Mint Spritzer

americanEasyvegetariangluten freedairy freenut free

Grapefruit & Mint Spritzer

RATING

0.0/5

TASTE SCORE

8/10

A bright, bubbly refresher that balances tart grapefruit juice with cooling fresh mint and a gentle fizz. This zero-proof spritzer is light, crisp, and ready in under 5 minutes — perfect for brunch, showers, or an afternoon pick-me-up.

PREP

COOK

SERVES

1 CUP

85 cal

SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

For 4 servings

2 cupgrapefruit juice · freshly squeezed, pink or ruby red, strained2 cupsparkling water · chilled, plain or unflavored2 tbsphoney · or adjust to taste¼ cupmint · fresh leaves, plus extra sprigs for garnish2 tbsplime juice · freshly squeezed2 cupice cubes · for serving1 pinchsalt

NUTRITION · PER SERVING

CALORIES · 1 CUP

Protein1g · 5%

Carbs19g · 89%

Fat1g · 11%

Fiber1g

Sugar19g

Saturated fat0g

Cholesterol0mg

Sodium43mg

Potassium188mg

Phosphorus24mg

How we calculate →

METHOD · 4 STEPS

prep · ~2 min
Juice the grapefruits and lime.
Cut 3 to 4 medium pink grapefruits in half and juice them until you have 2 cups. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove pulp and seeds. Juice the lime separately to get 2 tablespoons.
mix
Muddle the mint with honey.
1.Place the mint leaves in the bottom of a pitcher.
2.Add the honey and the pinch of salt.
3.Gently muddle with a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon for 20 seconds — just enough to release the mint oils without shredding the leaves.
TIPDon't over-muddle the mint — it turns bitter if bruised too aggressively. A light press is all you need.
mix · ~1 min
Combine the base.
Pour the strained grapefruit juice and fresh lime juice into the pitcher with the muddled mint and honey. Stir well until the honey is completely dissolved into the juice.
mix
Add the sparkle and serve.
1.Fill four serving glasses with ice cubes.
2.Divide the grapefruit-mint mixture evenly among the glasses, filling each about halfway.
3.Top each glass with the chilled sparkling water, pouring slowly to preserve the fizz.
4.Stir gently once and garnish each glass with a fresh mint sprig.
TIPAdd the sparkling water just before serving so it stays effervescent — flat spritzer is sad spritzer.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Strain the grapefruit juice through a fine-mesh sieve for a silky, pulp-free drink.
2
Use ruby red or pink grapefruits for a naturally sweeter, less tart juice.
3
Chill the sparkling water and juice beforehand so the drink stays cold without diluting too fast.
4
Muddle the mint gently — just 20 seconds — to release aroma without bitterness.
5
Pour the sparkling water slowly down the side of the glass to preserve maximum fizz.
6
Make the juice-honey base up to 4 hours ahead; add sparkling water and ice only at serving time.

RECIPE VARIATIONS