This weekend, while I was revelling in slightly-above-freezing temperatures which made running outside a possibility, a delicious care package found its way to our Brooklyn stoop, all the way from Palm Springs, California. Every year, one of my clients takes off for the winter to enjoy the sunshine on the west coast and every year she sends me an enormous box of grapefruit and oranges, picked fresh from her backyard.
Grapefruit happens to be one of my favorite fruits – I love eating it as is, or juicing it. With so many of them, though, I could afford to experiment a little, so I put together a Grapefruit Mint Faux Mojito. I’ve never made a real mojito before. I’ve never even muddled anything before. So it seemed like something I should definitely try doing immediately. (I mentioned I was nesting and completely over-ambitious in every I do these days, right?).
I have to tell you, I was super impressed with myself after I tasted the finished product. And it was way easier than I would have imagined. So here you go, a recipe for a little taste of summer in a glass (and if you’re not pregnant, feel free to add rum to this bad boy):
Grapefruit and Mint Faux Mojito
Ingredients:
Fresh mint leaves
1 grapefruit (yellow or pink)
1 tablespoon white sugar
6 oz seltzer
Step One:
Google how to muddle mint. Find this excellent mint muddling tutorial (which gets bonus points for correctly assuming one does not own a muddler).
Step Two:
Put a bunch of mint leaves in the bottom of a sturdy glass. (I used about 10 leaves). Add the tablespoon of sugar and half of the grapefruit flesh, cut into chunks. Use the end of a non-varnished rolling pin as your muddler – place it in the glass, press down on the leaves and fruit and just twist it. You don’t thump it, or try to pulverize the mint.
Step Three:
Cut one slice of fruit from the other half of the grapefruit if you want to get fancy and have a wedge stuck on the side of your glass. Squeeze the juice of the remaining fruit into your glass, then top with seltzer. Quick stir and you’re done!
It was so delicious! You could easily change the quantities and do this in a pitcher for parties, as well. It smells and tastes so good, you could (almost) forget there isn’t any alcohol in it. So while Fran was having a beer watching the Rangers game on Sunday, I was able to enjoy a drink as well. 🙂
And just in case you, too, happen to have an enormous box of grapefruit, I’ve found these recipes involving grapefruit (hopefully one or two of which I will actually try!):
Grapefruit Rounds with Halloumi Cheese, from Eating Well. If you haven’t tried Halloumi before, you’re welcome. It’s a delicious Greek cheese that is sturdy enough to cook on the grill.
Grapefruit, Salmon and Avocado Salad, from Martha Stewart. The tangy citrus mixed with the creaminess of avocado would work so well with salmon.
Ginger and Pink Grapefruit Cheesecake, from Bon Appetit. Because, cheesecake.
Grapefruit Guacamole, from Thug Kitchen. They had me at guacamole. Also, I had heard vaguely of Thug Kitchen and that the recipes were great, but until I just googled it, I had no idea it was also hysterical. (Unless you don’t approve of swearing. I approve.)
What’s your favorite winter fruit?
Any good mocktail recipes to share with this preggo?
Mojitos were the first alcoholic drink I ever tried but I can’t remember ever trying a grapefruit one! I love cara cara oranges and am always sad when they disappear for 9-10 months, but I try to focus on the peaches and strawberries that are just around the corner. I’ve actually never been a big grapefruit fan but I do think I’d like it in a drink like this!
Emilie recently posted…Currently {February}
It was really good! I made it with rum for my husband and he enjoyed it probably a little bit more than me. 😉 I think because of the mint and seltzer you probably wouldn’t be overpowered by the grapefruit taste.
That is so incredibly nice to get fresh grapefruits delivered to your door! I also love how easy it is to make this…you know I’m adding the alcohol to mine though 🙂 Cheers!
Allie recently posted…The Rundown: Less Is More
Uh, yeah, I could have guessed that you (and Kim!) would be adding the rum. FYI, when I made one for Fran I used dark rum, because we didn’t have white and he said it was amazeballs.
This sounds tasty. I do not like eating grapefruit but I don’t mind it when it is mixed with other ingredients.
lacey@fairytalesandfitness.com recently posted…Run or Rest with your Valentine!
It was super good – it made me feel like it was summer…for a split second!
I’m with Allie – this looks great but I’m totally adding the alcohol:)
Kim recently posted…A Smile Doesn’t Always Tell the Whole Story
Add away, Kim, then raise your glass to me! 🙂 I’m looking forward to my own celebratory cocktail after I have this bub!
Well now you’re speaking my language. And I realize when you’re not pregnant, it’s probably different. I just love virgin drinks!
Cassidy’s favorite is the mojito so I’d have to add alcohol for him! And Allie. And Kim.
Tamara recently posted…You’re a Wizard, Harry!
We’re gonna need more rum!! 😉 I actually love daquiris when they’re virgin – I’ll have to make one of those for myself soon!
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