Winter Sun (Grapefruit and Pomegranate Mocktail)

This refreshing, bubbly drink is my favorite way to start even the darkest winter days. Bright, freshly squeezed juices and raw honey give this sweet and sour morning elixir a boost of vitamins and antioxidants.

It can be harder than usual to drink enough water during the cold winter months.

Dressing it up with bubbles and pure fruit juices can make it easier to hydrate, while also adding a few healthy phytonutrients!

The vitamins and antioxidants in these freshly squeezed juices are also beneficial for the immune system. And it goes without saying that we could all use some extra support there, especially during the wintertime.

In addition to being very tasty, here are some benefits of drinking this morning mocktail:

It’s hydrating

This drink is mostly sparkling water, so it will help get you on your way to your 8 daily glasses. I don’t typically enjoy plain old water first thing, but a pretty glass of sweet and tart effervescent goodness is a different story entirely.

Vitamin C

Like other citrus fruits, grapefruit juice is high in vitamin C, a tried and true immune system booster.

Phytonutrients 

Grapefruit juice is a great source of beta carotene and lycopene (an antioxidant). Beta carotine converts to Vitamin A in the body and is known to benefit vision.

Pomegranate juice is a powerhouse of healthy phytonutrients, including potent antioxidants known as punicalagans.

Prebiotics in raw honey to help digestion

Prebiotics feed the good bacteria in our guts, keeping our digestive systems healthy. Not to be confused with foods containing the beneficial bacteria (probiotics).

Relatively low in sugar and calories

This drink clocks in at 62 calories and 16 grams of sugar. If sugar is a concern, you can choose to omit the raw honey syrup, which will bring this down to 37 calories and 8 grams of sugar.

Versatile and refreshing

This grapefruit and pomegranate elixir is wonderful first thing in the morning, but it’s also the perfect light beverage for lunch, brunch, or at happy hour as a mocktail! 

Grapefruit is naturally tart and bittersweet, which makes it perfect for pre-dinner drinks. Make it even more bittersweet by replacing the sparkling water with tonic water.

Use a light tonic water like the one from Fever-Tree and skip the honey syrup if you want to keep the calories and sugar in check. 

Variations

This basic drink template is easy to customize to fit your taste (or what’s in your fridge).

Feel free to use freshly squeezed orange or tangerine juice for a sweeter flavor, or add more pomegranate juice for a richer, fruitier flavor.

Feeling adventurous? Add a splash of mango, passion fruit, or pineapple juice to the mix. Just keep in mind that all of these juices have a lot of natural sugars, if that’s a concern. 

If you’re vegan or don’t want to use honey, you can use simple syrup, agave syrup, or even a delicious (and easy) homemade grenadine in place of the honey and the pomegranate juice. Grenadine is incredibly easy to make and takes just a few minutes.

If you also enjoy cocktails, try this Grapefruit & Pomegranate Sour, a classic Salty Dog, or a Winter Sea Breeze.

Winter Sun Ingredients:

• Freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice
• Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice
• Raw honey syrup
• Lime or lemon wedge
• Sparkling water

Honey syrup

Honey syrup is incredibly easy to make and it lets you effortlessly incorporate honey into even the coldest drinks. Get the honey syrup recipe.

Freshly squeezed juices

I highly recommend freshly squeezed juices for the best flavor. But not everyone has the time or desire to juice grapefruits or pomegranates first thing in the morning!

If using bottled juices, go with a premium unsweetened pink grapefruit juice and unsweetened pomegranate juice like POM.

Pomegranates are easier to juice than you might imagine – simply cut them in half and press each half against a citrus reamer like you would an orange or grapefruit.

Unfortunately, fresh pomegranates are only available in the northeast during a brief window each winter, so the rest of the year I go with POM, which has great flavor (and makes great grenadine, too!)

Make sure to shake your bottled juices well before pouring for the best flavor. 

Tried this recipe? Share it on Pinterest and don’t forget to tag me @moodymixologist!