January 1 is a strange drinking day. You still want a drink, just not necessarily alcohol. The Reset Spritz was built for exactly that moment — when you want something in a proper glass, with bitterness, aroma, and a sense of occasion, without it feeling like a punishment or a performance.
This isn’t about “detoxing.” It’s about pressing pause without pressing stop. The Reset Spritz works because it borrows from classic aperitivo logic: bitterness to wake up the palate, citrus for lift, and herbs to give the drink a beginning, middle, and end. It behaves like a cocktail, which is the whole point!
Reset Spritz
Ingredients
- 2 oz fresh ruby grapefruit juice, strained
- ¾ oz rosemary–honey syrup*
- ⅓ oz high-quality white wine vinegar, diluted 1:1 with water
- ` Splash of soda water
- Garnish: fresh rosemary sprig and wide grapefruit peel
Instructions
- Fill a wine glass with ice.
- Add the grapefruit juice, rosemary–honey syrup, and diluted vinegar.
- Give it a gentle stir.
- Top with chilled soda water.
- Express the grapefruit peel over the glass and add the rosemary sprig.
Notes
How to Make Rosemary–Honey Syrup
- Gently warm equal parts honey and water in a small saucepan.
- Add one fresh rosemary sprig.
- Remove from the heat, allow to cool completely, then strain.
Nutrition
Variations
- If you like more bitterness, add a few drops of a non-alcoholic gentian or quassia tincture.
- For a softer citrus profile, replace half the grapefruit juice with blood orange.
- For a longer, lighter serve, use more soda and build it in a tall glass.
FAQ
Is this completely alcohol-free?
Yes. Every ingredient is non-alcoholic, with no fermented or spirit-derived components.
Does vinegar make it taste sour?
No. When diluted correctly, it adds dryness and structure rather than sharp acidity.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Batch everything except the soda water and refrigerate. Add bubbles just before serving.
Why A Lush Life Loves It
Because it doesn’t feel like a “non-alcoholic drink.” It feels like a drink. Bitter enough, not too sweet, and something you’d actually choose rather than tolerate!