I've been sober for 11 years, and one thing that was tricky in the early days was that non-alcoholic options were all sweet. Too sweet for my taste.
That was the inspiration for this Blood Orange Rosemary Spritz Mocktail. Just a touch of sweet, big on flavor, and sophisticated. The deep ruby color, a hint of herbal complexity from a homemade rosemary simple syrup, and just enough citrus brightness make it feel like a real drink, because it is!
Ingredients for This Mocktail
Blood oranges. You'll need about one blood orange per drink. The juice ranges from deep ruby red to soft blush pink depending on the variety. All of it beautiful. If you love a gorgeous, colorful mocktail, my grapefruit hibiscus tea mocktail is another one worth bookmarking.
Fresh lime juice. Just half a tablespoon per drink, but it brightens everything up and keeps the blood orange from falling flat.
Rosemary simple syrup. Combine water and your preferred sugar-free sweetener (more on that below) for a basic simple syrup, then infuse it with fresh rosemary (not dried). Just one sprig steeped for 15 minutes off the heat gives the drink a subtle complexity and depth that elevates the experience.
Sparkling water. Six ounces per drink. Plain sparkling water works perfectly, and a citrus-flavored sparkling water like Spindrift takes it up another notch.
Garnish. A blood orange wedge and a fresh rosemary sprig.
Options for Sugar-Free Sweeteners
Not all sugar-free sweeteners behave the same way in a simple syrup, and knowing the difference will save you some frustration.
An Allulose / Monkfruit blend like the one from Lakanto is my first choice for syrups. It dissolves easily over medium heat without boiling. In fact you want to avoid boiling it, as high heat can cause it to brown and take on a faint caramel flavor. The payoff is that allulose stays smooth and liquid even when chilled, which makes it ideal for drink syrups you want to keep in the fridge all week.
Monk fruit / Erythritol blends work well, too and can handle a gentle boil during cooking. However, erythritol tends to crystallize when chilled, so your syrup may get grainy in the fridge. Not a big deal, Just warm it gently on the stove or a few seconds in the microwave and it'll dissolve right back into a smooth syrup.
Step by Step Instructions
Make the rosemary simple syrup. Combine equal parts water and your sugar-free sweetener in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until fully dissolved and the mixture goes clear, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, add one fresh rosemary sprig, and steep for 15 minutes. Strain and let cool completely before using.
Juice the blood oranges. You'll need about one blood orange per drink.
Build the drink. Fill a stemless wine glass with ice. Add 3 tablespoons blood orange juice, half a tablespoon of fresh lime juice, and 1 tablespoon rosemary simple syrup. Stir gently to combine. Top with 6 ounces of sparkling water.
Garnish and serve. Add a blood orange wedge to the rim and tuck in a fresh rosemary sprig. Serve immediately.
No Blood Oranges? No Problem.
If blood oranges aren't available in your area or the season has passed, cara cara oranges are your best swap. They have a similar sweetness and a beautiful pink flesh, though you'll get a softer color in the glass. Regular navel oranges work, too, just not quite as bold in flavor and color.
Save this recipe now so you're ready when blood orange season hits in January.
Party Prep Instructions
This drink is a natural for entertaining and comes together easily in a big batch. Here's how to do it stress-free:
The day before, make your rosemary simple syrup and let it cool completely. Store it in a jar in the fridge. Juice your blood oranges and limes and store the juices separately in the fridge.
Day of, combine the following in a large pitcher:
- 1.5 cups blood orange juice
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ½ cup rosemary simple syrup
Stir gently and keep chilled until ready to serve. Set out a bottle of sparkling water on the side and let guests pour their own to keep the bubbles fresh and lively.
Joanie's Balanced Bites for Blood Sugar Balance
Blood oranges have a little something extra special. That deep ruby color comes from anthocyanins, the same antioxidant pigments found in blueberries. They're also a great source of vitamin C, which supports immune function. The small amount of juice in this drink means you're getting a little of that goodness without a significant amount of natural sugar.
The rosemary simple syrup is made with allulose or your favorite alternative sweetener, which means there's no added sugar in this drink. Enjoyed alongside a balanced meal containing fiber, fat and protein, it won't have any meaningful impact on your blood sugar.
Blood Orange Rosemary Spritz Mocktail (Sugar-Free)
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Diabetic
Description
A sophisticated, sugar-free mocktail with fresh blood orange, lime, and a homemade rosemary simple syrup. Ready in minutes and beautiful enough to serve at any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Rosemary Simple Syrup
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup allulose (or monk fruit/erythritol blend like Lakanto)
- 1 fresh rosemary sprig
For the Mocktail
- 3 tablespoons fresh blood orange juice (about 1 blood orange)
- ½ tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon rosemary simple syrup
- 6 ounces sparkling water (plain or citrus flavored like Spindrift)
- Blood orange wedge and fresh rosemary sprig to garnish
Instructions
- Make the rosemary simple syrup. Combine water and allulose in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until fully dissolved and the mixture goes clear, about 2 to 3 minutes. Do not boil. Remove from heat, add the rosemary sprig, and steep for 15 minutes. Strain and cool completely. Store in a jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Juice the blood oranges. Juice on a non-porous surface -- blood orange juice stains.
- Build the drink. Fill a stemless wine glass with ice. Add blood orange juice, lime juice, and rosemary simple syrup. Stir gently to combine.
- Top and garnish. Pour sparkling water slowly down the side of the glass. Garnish with a blood orange wedge and rosemary sprig. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 51
- Sugar: 9.1 g
- Sodium: 0.2 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.5 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 0.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!