Squirt Recipe

Chill and ice

Fill a 16 oz highball or can-shaped glass with ice (about 1 cup). If you prefer the drink extra cold, chill the glass in the freezer 10–15 minutes beforehand.

In a small mixing cup or jigger, combine the fresh grapefruit juice (1.5 fl oz), fresh lime juice (0.5 fl oz) and simple syrup (0.5 fl oz). Stir briskly until combined. This creates a balanced sweet-tart citrus concentrate that replicates the bright character of a Squirt can.

Add the grapefruit zest (1 tsp) to the concentrate and gently press it against the side of the cup with a spoon to release essential oils, then discard or leave in for extra aroma.

Pour the citrus concentrate over the ice in the prepared glass.

Add 12 fl oz of chilled club soda or plain seltzer to the glass slowly to preserve carbonation. If you prefer sweeter and more authentic canned-soda sweetness and color, substitute 2 fl oz of the club soda with the optional pale lemon or grapefruit soda and reduce club soda to 10 fl oz.

Gently stir once or twice with a bar spoon to integrate the citrus mixture without flattening the bubbles.

Taste and adjust: if too tart, add another 0.25–0.5 fl oz simple syrup; if too sweet, add a splash more club soda. Garnish with a grapefruit wheel or lime wedge on the rim.

Serve immediately with a straw. Yields approximately the flavor and volume of a 16 oz can of Squirt.