Broiled Honey Grapefruit & Thyme Spritzer

Refreshing.

Tart and Fizzy.

Aaaah.

This is an easy-to-make alcoholic beverage that is perfect to serve at brunch or a summer bbq. The grapefruit is tart, but broiling it with some honey tones it down a bit, and the fruity notes of the prosecco really lighten the party. The thyme adds a nice savory note. If you don't have prosecco, I recommend serving this broiled honey-thyme-grapefruit juice with a splash of gin and some bubbly water - also a great combination. If you are not into alcohol and want to drink this virgin, I would recommend adding some lime juice and bubbly water; I really like this drink to have bubbles in it, I think it makes it taste more refreshing. Anyway, however you slice it, I recommend giving this drink a try. This recipe makes 2-6 drinks, depending on your chosen ratio of prosecco to juice. If you only make two drinks out of this, like I did this time, these drinks are fairly light on the alcohol. If you want your drinks to be more like a mimosa, then they will be heavier on the prosecco and a lighter color than the drinks here. Whatever you prefer! I've made them both ways and they are equally delicious. Enjoy!

Edit: This post has been featured on Food52! Thanks guys!

Ingredients: 

Ingredients.

3 ruby red grapefruits

3-4 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon thyme leaves, plus sprigs for garnish

Prosecco, or gin & bubbly water

Ice

1. Preheat oven to broil. Cut all three of the grapefruits in half. Put 5 of the 6 halves on a parchment paper lines baking tray, skin side down. Coat the fruit with a generous squeeze of honey. 

Honeyed grapefruits.

2. Broil the grapefruits until caramelized...about 10-15 minutes, depending how close your oven rack is to the top of your oven (closer to the heat source = less cook time). Once caramelized, pull tray out and allow fruit to cool.

Caramelized.

Getting some good color.

3. Cut some segments out of the non-broiled half of grapefruit and put in cocktail shaker, along with some ice.  Add in the thyme leaves.  Squeeze the juices of the broiled grapefruits into the shaker as well.

Ready to shake.

Thyme.

4. Shake the cocktail shaker. (Note: if you are not using prosecco, but are instead using gin, add the gin to the cocktail shaker as well). Strain the liquid into some ice-filled glasses.  Top off with prosecco or bubbly water. Enjoy!

Refreshingly simple.

Drink time.

Bubbly & tart.

Yum.

Pretty pink color.