Grapefruit Soda

Pink grapefruit lemonade in bar format

The driest variety from the house in a small bottle. Its bitterness stands up to alcohol, its volume is exactly right for a long drink, and its color provides the perfect look on its own. The format that bartenders reach for.

The Grapefruit Lemonade is the small version of La Mortuacienne's grapefruit variety, coming in a 0.33-liter gastro bottle. Dusty pink in the glass, dry on the palate, with that characteristic bitterness that sets grapefruit apart from all other citrus fruits. With 8.5 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters, it contains the same amount of sugar as most other varieties but tastes significantly less sweet.

Dry, sparkling, with a long-lasting bitter note

The Grapefruit Lemonade is instantly recognizable in the glass, a pale dusty pink with fine effervescence. The aroma is unmistakable—grapefruit peel with a resinous edge, significantly more present than in orange or mandarin.

On the palate, sweetness comes first, then the bitterness takes over and lingers. This exact progression is what makes this variety a sophisticated choice. Anyone who didn't like grapefruit juice as a child will likely find their way to it here, as the carbonation takes the sharp edge off the bitterness.

The small volume ensures the effervescence lasts until the very last sip. With an opened liter bottle, that's over by the second day.

Once you have learned to appreciate the bitterness, you rarely reach for sweet varieties again. It is the reason why this lemonade also appeals to adults who have actually left sodas behind.

The finished long drink in one bottle

0.33 liters correspond almost exactly to what a long drink needs as a mixer. This is not a coincidence, but the purpose of this format.

Poured over ice onto a shot of vodka, gin, or Rosé Vermouth, the drink is ready without having to measure anything. The bitterness supports the alcohol where a sweet lemonade would collapse, and the color makes syrups or additions unnecessary.

It is just as good on its own. Ice-cold, with a slice of lime, accompanied by olives or salted almonds. Its bitterness cuts through anything fatty or salty. It must be ice-cold; lukewarm, the bitter note loses its appeal.

Why bars rely on this format

Behind a counter, every movement counts. A bottle that contains exactly one serving saves time and prevents waste.

In addition, there is a point that only becomes apparent when pouring: Grapefruit is the only citrus note that asserts itself against strong spirits without needing to be sweetened. With orange or mandarin, the fruit disappears behind the alcohol; here, it remains and gives the drink its edge.

With large containers, the rest has to be stored, loses carbonation, and often ends up down the drain. The small bottle solves this because it is opened and emptied without anything left over. The screw cap opens faster than any swing-top.

Then there is the look. A bottle sitting on the counter advertises itself, and the embossed crest in the glass makes it clear that this is no standard product being served. Guests ask for it, and that is precisely why this variety is found in many bistros.

At Rième, it is produced using the same process as all the others, with a sugar base that has been cold-stirred since 1921. If you prefer the fruit for your table at home, you will find it as Pampelmousse Lemonade in a liter bottle; things get even more complex with the Pink Agrumes made from four citrus fruits. You can see what else is available at La Mortuacienne. A deposit is charged separately.