Mock Champagne

A sparkling, fizzy punch that looks and pours like champagne without any alcohol. Homemade simple syrup combined with grapefruit juice and orange juice, chilled thoroughly, then topped with a splash of grenadine for blush-pink color and cold ginger ale for the bubbles.

Boiling the sugar and water together for a full 10 minutes makes a proper simple syrup that dissolves cleanly into the cold juices instead of settling as gritty crystals at the bottom. Let it cool completely before mixing with the juices or it’ll warm the whole batch and go flat faster.

The grenadine and ginger ale go in at the very last moment before serving. The grenadine adds a rosy tint and pomegranate sweetness, while the ginger ale brings the effervescence that makes this feel like something worth toasting with.

Kitchen Tips

• Chill the juice mixture and ginger ale separately before combining. Warm ginger ale loses its fizz instantly.
• Add the ginger ale right before guests arrive. Every minute it sits, the bubbles escape.
• Serve in champagne flutes for the full effect. The narrow glass preserves the carbonation longer.

Variations

• Use sparkling water or club soda instead of ginger ale for a less sweet, drier drink.
• Replace grapefruit juice with white grape juice for a milder, sweeter flavor.
• Float fresh raspberries or pomegranate seeds in each glass for a festive garnish.