How about a Grapefruit Juniper Berry Fizz to celebrate the beginning of the weekend? I have a friend with several grapefruit trees and she recently brought over 2 garbage bags filled with grapefruit. We love grapefruit in the Fuji house, so we happily accepted the bags, but it wasn’t too long before reality set in. There are only so many fresh grapefruit you can eat within a week. Not that I’m complaining.
Being inundated with one of my favorite citrus fruits is a problem I love having. It just means that I have to get a bit creative. So I pulled out my KitchenAid juicer attachment and got to work juicing the rest of the grapefruit, filling containers, and putting them in the freezer to store until I was ready to use them.
I kept one container out, however, so that I could use it to make the next drink in the Fuji Happy Hour series. Since it’s Friday, I’m kicking off the weekend by sharing the recipe for my Grapefruit Juniper Berry Fizz.
If you’re not familiar with Juniper Berries, it’s time to get familiar. They have an amazing piney scent, a bit like rosemary but with fruitier tones.
While freshly squeezed grapefruit juice mixed with sparkling water is delicious, the addition of a bit of juniper syrup (a simple syrup infused with crushed juniper berries) takes the combination to new heights, elevating the flavors and making them more sophisticated. Happy weekend everyone!
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Grapefruit Juniper Berry Fizz
Makes about 7 servings
For the Juniper Berry Syrup:
1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons juniper berries, lightly crushed with a mortar and pestle
7 cups sparkling water
1 3/4 cups freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
Make the Juniper Berry Syrup:
1. Combine the water, sugar, and crushed juniper berries in a small saucepan and heat the mixture over medium high heat. When it comes to a boil, lower the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the syrup into a glass jar or bottle and allow it to steep in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
3. After steeping, strain out the crushed juniper berries, and the syrup is ready to use. The syrup will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to one month.
Make the Grapefruit Juniper Berry Fizz:
1. Mix 1/4 cup of the fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and 3 tablespoons of the Juniper Berry Syrup together in a tall class, then pour in 1 cup of soda water. Garnish with a grapefruit twist (optional).
2. Repeat with the remaining ingredients for the other 6 drinks.
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I have never even seen a juniper berry – this drink looks fantastic. I wonder where you found them? Maybe If I read your post more carefully I will discover where ;)
@Lizthechef — Nope, I didn’t say! :) In the past I’ve ordered them from Marx Foods (http://www.marxfoods.com/Bulk-Juniper-Berries), but a local store has started carrying them, so I get them there now! You will find them with the other spices if any of your stores carry them. I also recently saw that The Spice Hunter brand sells them, so if you have a store that carries that line of spices, look for it! http://www.amazon.com/The-Spice-Hunter-Juniper-1-3-Ounce/dp/B004M1BEDA/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1362183103&sr=8-11&keywords=juniper+berries
Now you know I might add gin right; it’s basically juniper! I’m in the same shape with Meyer lemons and Cara Cara oranges; right now thankful for an electric citrus juicer; I’ll be doing pounds of them tonight and freezing the juice. Maybe after I make this fizz!
@Barbara — I’ve got a big bag of Cara Cara oranges and a big bag of blood oranges sitting on my counter right now! LOL We’re citrus fanatics. :) Yep, gin would be the cocktail way to go, but maybe with a bit of simple syrup as well.
I’ve had juniper berries in cheese and it makes for a wonderful spicy addition. I would guess that the addition to grapefruit would be amazing.
That sounds so refreshingly healthily delicious and sophisticated. Wow. Your flavor combinations always inspire me.
PS I nominated you for a Beautiful Mama Blog Award! http://mamamandy.com/2013/03/02/first-blog-award/
Mmm I’d love to get more adventurous with less well-known berries. I’ve got a sodastream, so this looks like a good start!
Yum! This looks like a refreshing, delicious way to start the weekend! Cheers!
I heart fizzy drinks!
Sounds like another interesting one. I’ve wondered if I can use the wild juniper berries that are all over when I head up to the mountains.
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