Grapefruit Thyme Spritzer and DIY Color Block Coasters

I'm having so much fun creating mocktails for my family.  This might be my favorite yet. I LOVE citrus and combined with the earthy, herby flavor of thyme, is a match made in heaven. You really feel like you're having a treat with this pretty nonalcoholic drink. So, invite some friends over and celebrate this holiday season with a Grapefruit Thyme Spritzer and your favorite cheese and crackers.

Just as it is in cooking, good ingredients make the drink. My friend Sarah, of Sarah Hearts, introduced me to Natalie's Orchid Juices and now I'm hooked. This is probably the freshest tasting juice I've ever had. We have an orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit tree in our yard, so I consider myself a citrus snob. And yes, this Californian now loves Florida citrus as well. This is hand picked, freshly squeezed, made in American juice.

Grapefruit Thyme Spritzer 

1/2 cup Natalies's Orchid Grapefruit Juice
1 oz. Thyme Simple Syrup (see recipe below)
1/2 cup of club soda
a splash of aromatic bitters
a sprig or two of fresh thyme

Fill a glass with ice, pour in the juice and thyme simple syrup and mix.  Top with club soda and a splash of bitters.  Garnish with a couple sprigs of fresh thyme.

Thyme Simple Syrup

1 cup of sugar
1 cup of water
3-4 sprigs of fresh thyme

In a small pot bring the sugar, water and thyme to a boil. Boil for 3 mins.  Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can remove the thyme or leave it in the syrup.

And if you are going to serve a pretty drink, it needs an equally nice coaster to rest on. I made some simple felt color blocked coasters inspired by the colors of this drink. And they require absolutely no sewing at all!!!

Here's what you will need:

• 4 colors of felt
• scissors or rotary cutter
• felt glue
• a couple q-tips

Start by cutting 4 square of felt that are 4 x 4 inches and 4 square that are 3 /12 x 3 1/2 inches.  Cut the smaller squares in half diagonally.

Play around with the felt pieces and decide on 4 combinations that work well together.

Apply a generous amount of felt glue to the backs of the triangles and spread the glue all the way to the edge with a q-tip. 

Glue down the triangle and allow the coasters to dry over night.

This post is sponsored by Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Co. Thanks for supporting the companies that help make this blog possible.