Every year, the same question. What to do with the hundreds upon hundreds of happy grapefuits in my backyard?
This year I tried something different: a Cypriot recipe for grapefruit syrup, used to make grapefruit soda. So far, this was the best use I've made of the grapefruit, as this soda is exceptionally delicious. And because it's stored as a syrup, it also keeps for a long time in the refrigerator. The soda is made by simply mixing a bit of the syrup with soda water and ice. Easy and delicious.
1. Place 4 cups of juiced grapefruit juice in a pot and heat. Add 3 1/3 cups sugar until dissolved.
2. Add 1/2 cup juiced lemons, zest of one unwaxed orange, and 4 leaves of fresh basil. Top with 1 cup of water.
3. Stir continually until the liquid becomes a syrup -- a long process!
4. Remove basil leaves, pour into a clean, sealed bottle and refrigerate.
This syrup can be stored for a long time and mixed with soda water anytime you need a refreshment... or a refreshing cocktail. By the way, did you know that grapefruit originally came from Barbados? It was apparently discovered in 1750 and named the "Forbidden Fruit." Oh, in case you are wondering: I was lucky to make my syrup before the recent freezing of California citrus crops. Got lucky!
(Don't worry -- this recipe for grapefruit syrup loses its sourness, so this won't happen to you.)
Comments
Oh man...I wish I had happy grapefruits in my back yard!
Posted by: Jeff | January 21, 2007 09:49 AM
I wish I had a pile of grapefruit in my backyard to be able to make this! I currently just have a pile of snow.
Posted by: Brilynn | January 21, 2007 06:18 PM
Your fruit trees look amazing. This morning, it took me 30 minutes to scrape all the ice off my car. I wished I had some "juiced grapefruit juice" :-)
//H
Posted by: The big H | January 22, 2007 12:25 AM
Wow, do you have a grapefruit tree in your backyard?
That's wonderful. You can make a fresh juice all the time. I am so jealous. :D
Posted by: sue | January 22, 2007 03:10 AM
Jeff: I got lucky because there were already two established (huge!) grapefruit trees in my backyard when I bought the house. They're beautiful trees and provide a lot of shape; the hummingbirds also love them for their canopies.
Brilynn: I think you can do this with store bought grapefruit juice -- you might make a smaller batch though as this amount of syrup will last me a few months at least.
Big H: What happened to global warming in Stockholm? I thought you were tanning all winter nowadays.
Sue: Yes, there are two very large grapefruit trees in the backyard. They produce two crops a year -- one in summer and one in winter. I'm not a huge grapefruit fan but I do enjoy the trees... they're very beautiful.
Posted by: Evil Jonny | January 22, 2007 05:58 AM
Wow!
I am more and more amazed at each of your entries, and what beautiful trees!
I make ginger syrup regularly for use as ginger-ale...and I've also made fairly decent syrups of lemons, hibiscus flowers, vanilla, chocolate... I love grapefruit soda! Your recipe with basil leaves is intriguing...Are most of your guests, who taste this, able to identify the elusive paramour to the grapefruit?
Posted by: pelicano | February 26, 2007 01:46 PM
Pelicano: the taste is too subtle for anybody to discern, I think, but yeah I sure love it too. I would love to hear your recipe for chocolate soda -- wow sounds interesting!!
Posted by: Evil J | February 26, 2007 06:40 PM