Grilled Grapefruit Spritz

Grilled Grapefruit Spritz

Okay, so you don’t have to barbecue the grapefruit for this cocktail, but doing so brings out additional sweetness and it makes juicing the grapefruits really easy. Just try not to squeeze out any of the juice when adding to or removing from the grill. If you’re in a hurry, feel free to use store-bought grapefruit juice, skip the zest in the syrup and reduce the amount of syrup to taste. Makes 8 cocktails

Ingredients:

3 Ruby Red grapefruits

1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar

1 cup (250 mL) water

1 bottle (750 mL) Prosecco or sparkling wine

2 cups (500 mL) soda water

Tiny pinches of kosher sea salt (see TIP)

Charred Grapefruit, optional (recipe follows)

Directions: 

Using a rasp or grater, finely grate zest of one grapefruit. Then pull long strips of zest from another grapefruit. Set both aside separately

Preheat grill to medium-low.

Cut three grapefruits (including the ones with zest removed) in half crosswise. Lightly oil grill and place grapefruit halves, cut side down, over medium-low heat. Barbecue until grapefruits soften and grill marks form on them, 3 to 5 minutes. When done, remove to a medium bowl. When cool enough to handle, squeeze juices into a measuring cup. Strain through a sieve into another measuring cup. You should have about 1 cup (250 mL). Refrigerate to chill.

To prepare syrup, stir sugar with water in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Bring just to a simmer, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes or just until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Add grated zest. Let stand for 1 hour. Pour through fine strainer to remove zest. If making ahead, syrup will keep well, in a sealed container in the fridge up to 2 weeks. You should have about 1 1/2 cups (375 mL).

Just before serving, pour 3/4 oz chilled grilled grapefruit juice into a wineglass along with 3/4 oz chilled grapefruit simple syrup. Top with 3 oz Prosecco or sparkling wine, 2 oz soda water and a teensy pinch of sea salt. Stir to mix. You can serve this mix over ice, if you like. Garnish with a reserved strip of zest or a wedge of Charred Grapefruit. Repeat for each serving.

Makes 8 cocktails

Charred Grapefruit:
Create a satisfyingly smoky garnish by slicing a grapefruit into thin wedges. Oil the grill then barbecue over medium-low heat just until grill marks form, about 2 minutes per side. Use a spatula (not tongs) to turn the wedges.

TIP: If you haven’t invested in a box of Diamond salt, just do it. Its subtle salinity amps up the flavour of anything you add it to, including cocktails.