Charred Grapefruit Mezcal Spritz
A smoky mezcal spritz balanced with the bright bitterness of charred grapefruit and the effervescence of sparkling wine. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 8 minutes brings together mezcal, fresh grapefruit juice, agave syrup for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 160 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz mezcal
- 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 1/2 oz agave syrup
- 2 oz sparkling wine
- 1 grapefruit wheel (charred)
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 fresh thyme sprig
Instructions
- Step 1: Char a grapefruit wheel directly over a gas flame or grill until slightly blackened and smoky; set aside to cool.
- Step 2: Fill a large wine glass with 1 cup of ice cubes.
- Step 3: Pour 1.5 oz mezcal, 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice, and 1/2 oz agave syrup into the glass.
- Step 4: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 20 seconds to chill and combine flavors.
- Step 5: Slowly top the glass with 2 oz sparkling wine, pouring gently to preserve bubbles.
- Step 6: Garnish by floating the charred grapefruit wheel on top and placing a fresh thyme sprig alongside it for aroma.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Charred Grapefruit Mezcal Spritz take to make?
Total time is about 8 minutes (8 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Charred Grapefruit Mezcal Spritz?
Refrigerate any leftover charred grapefruit mezcal spritz in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Charred Grapefruit Mezcal Spritz?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Charred Grapefruit Mezcal Spritz for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Charred Grapefruit Mezcal Spritz?
Cocktails cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
