Winter Vanilla Thyme & Vanilla Paloma Mocktail
I adore this Winter Vanilla & Thyme Paloma mocktail. It’s the perfect blend of refreshing and comforting, making it a delightful drink to enjoy during the winter and especially around the holidays. Its unique combination of flavors will surprise and please your palate, and because it’s non-alcoholic, everyone can enjoy it. Want a boozy kick in yours? See below to see how to transform this into an alcoholic drink.
What is a Paloma?
A Paloma is a popular Mexican cocktail that combines grapefruit soda with tequila. It’s a popular drink known for its refreshing and slightly tart flavor. But I love jazzing it up with holiday flavors of vanilla and thyme, transforming this classic drink into a craft cocktail.
This craft cocktail features an easy-to-make infused simple syrup featuring the festive flavors of thyme and vanilla. When added to the mocktail, it lends subtle herbal notes that transform the classic cocktail into a Christmas mocktail that you can doctor up with a shot of alcohol if you prefer.
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What You’ll Love About Winter Vanilla Thyme & Vanilla Paloma Mocktail
- It has a unique and sophisticated flavor profile, perfect for winter gatherings and holiday parties.
- You can make the simple syrup up to a week in advance to mix up the cocktails whenever you like!
- Add a splash of tequila or vodka to turn this Paloma mocktail into a Paloma cocktail.
Ingredients
Vanilla & Thyme Simple Syrup
- Sugar – Granulated sugar works best and dissolves easily into the syrup.
- Water – Use filtered water if possible for the cleanest flavor.
- Thyme – Fresh thyme is best; woody stems can be removed before serving.
- Vanilla bean – Use ½ of a vanilla bean, split lengthwise. Don’t throw away the pod after scraping; simmer it in the syrup for even more flavor.
For the Mocktail
- Grapefruit juice – Fresh grapefruit juice gives the brightest flavor, but good-quality bottled juice will work.
- Lime juice – Fresh lime juice only; bottled juice won’t have the same fresh taste.
- Vanilla & Thyme syrup – Taste before adding the full amount and adjust to your preferred sweetness.
- Grapefruit soda – Grapefruit-flavored sparkling water is a lighter alternative if you prefer less sweetness.
- Sprigs of thyme – Use fresh thyme for garnish; gently clap the sprig between your hands to release its aroma before serving.
How to Make a Winter Vanilla & Thyme Paloma Mocktail
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
To make the vanilla and thyme simple syrup
Begin by combining the sugar and water in a saucepan. Add 2 to 3 thyme sprigs and half of a split vanilla bean.
Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved. Continue simmering for 1 to 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat and allow the syrup to cool completely.
Once cooled, strain out the thyme sprigs and vanilla bean and set the syrup aside.
To make the mocktail
Add the grapefruit juice, lime juice, and vanilla and thyme simple syrup to a highball glass.
Stir gently to combine the ingredients.
Add 3 to 4 ice cubes, then top with grapefruit soda or sparkling water.
Garnish with thyme sprigs and a grapefruit twist.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- For an extra festive touch, rim the glass with a mix of sugar and finely chopped thyme.
- The vanilla & thyme syrup can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Experiment with different citrus juices like orange or tangerine for a varied flavor profile.
What to Serve with Your Winter Vanilla & Thyme Paloma Mocktail
Pair this delightful pink drink with light appetizers like Sauerkraut Balls or a Guacamole Board. Its refreshing taste complements a variety of dishes, making it a great choice as a pre-dinner cocktail.
How to Make Winter Vanilla & Thyme Paloma Mocktail Alcoholic
To transform this mocktail into an alcoholic beverage, simply add a shot of your favorite tequila or mezcal to the mix before topping it with grapefruit soda. The smokiness of mezcal or the smoothness of tequila adds an extra layer of complexity to this delightful winter drink. I also love it with vodka.
Winter Vanilla and Thyme Paloma Mocktail
Ingredients
Vanilla & thyme simple syrup
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 vanilla bean split lengthwise
Mocktail
- 2 ounces grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce vanilla and thyme simple syrup
- 2 ounces sparkling grapefruit juice or grapefruit soda
- 1 thyme sprig to garnish
Instructions
To make the vanilla and thyme simple syrup
- Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan. Add 2-3 thyme sprigs and half of a split vanilla bean.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved, then simmer it for 1-2 minutes more. Allow it to cool, then strain to remove the thyme and vanilla bean.
To make the mocktail
- Add the grapefruit juice, lime juice, and vanilla and thyme simple syrup to a highball glass. Mix gently.
- Add 3-4 ice cubes and top up with grapefruit soda or grapefruit sparkling water.
- Garnish with thyme sprigs and a grapefruit twist and serve.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- For an extra festive touch, rim the glass with a mix of sugar and finely chopped thyme.
- The vanilla & thyme syrup can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Experiment with different citrus juices like orange or tangerine for a varied flavor profile.
- Add a shot of tequila or vodka to turn it into a cocktail.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
Winter Vanilla & Thyme Paloma mocktail?? Sign me up!! Always looking for great recipes without alcohol and this one looks delicious. Going to give this a shot tonight. Thanks Jenn!