Hype Girl Cocktail| A Brilliant Cocktail & Mocktail

The Hype Girl Cocktail is a simple fruity drink that's not too sweet. Make it with gin or vodka for a delicious cocktail or leave it out for a mocktail that won't make you miss alcohol. The tart raspberries and bitter grapefruit are balanced by the earthy sweetness of beet simple syrup. Add some grapefruit sparkling water and this drink will get you pumped about life in no time.

Just like a real-life hype girl, this Hype Girl cocktail recipe is sure to get you fired up. It’s bright, bubbly, and unique and is a drink that I think most everyone would enjoy. There’s even a mocktail version that’s bomb.


Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 


Before we go talking about the drink, though, what is a hype girl? A hype girl is the life of the party, your number one fan & supporter, the friend that can get you pumped about anything.

I think most people have a hype girl in their life. My mom’s definitely my OG hype girl but I’ve got several others, too. I have a handful of friends who constantly cheer me on and root for me, especially in this blogging business.

The Hype Girl Cocktail is a simple fruity drink that's not too sweet. Make it with gin or vodka for a delicious cocktail or leave it out for a mocktail that won't make you miss alcohol. The tart raspberries and bitter grapefruit are balanced by the earthy sweetness of beet simple syrup. Add some grapefruit Bubly and this drink will get you pumped about life in no time.

My inspiration for the name of this cocktail comes from my friend Ashley. Ashley feels like my own personal hype girl, especially when it comes to Girl & Tonic. But really, she’s encouraging and supportive of all women. She even has an account on Instagram called @theneighborhoodhypegirl. It’s a great account to follow if you need some positivity & pep talks dropped in your social media feed. Ashley– thanks for supporting me and my cocktail blog even though you don’t drink. This mocktail’s for you!

My recipe inspiration came in the form of a pint of raspberries that were on the last few days of life and yet were still incredibly tart. I needed to use them up somehow and figured a cocktail would be a great use (naturally). I looked around in my fridge to see what else needed to be used up. Grapefruit juice… a lonely can of grapefruit Bubly.. oh, yeah, I can make this work.

How to make a mocktail with Bubly | This Hype Girl mocktail is made with grapefruit Bubly, fresh raspberries, grapefruit juice, and beet simple syrup.

To tone down the raspberries and the grapefruit, I knew I’d need some kind of sweetener. Simple syrup is the obvious choice but I figured I’d stay on the pink trend and utilize the bag of beet powder hanging out in my pantry. Using beet simple syrup not only makes your drinks a gorgeous magenta color but it also provides a touch of earthiness that keeps your drink from tasting overly sweet. You could definitely make the Hype Girl cocktail or mocktail with traditional simple syrup, but beet simple syrup is way more fun.

This cocktail tastes great with either vodka or gin. Gin lends a more botanical feel while vodka’s clean taste highlights the raspberry and grapefruit. Use whichever you prefer. Or try both versions and tell me which one you like more in the comments!

If you’re needing some pep in your day, mix yourself up a Hype Girl Mocktail. And when you’re ready to unwind at night, mix up the cocktail version.

If you’re interested in other mocktails, these Girl & Tonic recipes can be easily turned into mocktails by skipping the alcohol:

Easy Colada

pineapple juice + coconut water + Demerara syrup

Jam Mocktail

jam + flavored sparkling water + herb + citrus juice

grapefruit juice + beet simple syrup + passionfruit sparkling water

Cero Miedo

guava nectar + lime juice + jalapeƱo basil syrup + chili powder + club soda

Golden Pothos

tonic water + lemon juice + turmeric + cardamom syrup

Ingredients for a Hype Girl Cocktail and Mocktail

  • 1 1/2 oz gin or vodka (omit for mocktail)
  • 3/4 oz grapefruit juice
  • 4 raspberries
  • 1/2 oz beet simple syrup (here’s the easy recipe)
  • 3-5 oz grapefruit sparkling water (like Bubly or La Croix)

How to Make a Hype Girl Cocktail and Mocktail

Pour the gin or vodka and grapefruit juice into a cocktail shaker. If you’re making a cocktail, just skip the gin. Add the raspberries and gently muddle them. No need to destroy them–just smoosh them a bit. Add the beet simple syrup and a generous amount of ice. Shake well.

If you don’t want raspberry seeds in your drink, you’ll need to “double strain” it. You’ll need a small strainer like this one.

Hype Girl Cocktail and Mocktail | This delicious and refreshing drink is perfect for getting you pumped up. It's a perfect blend of tart, bitter, sweet, and bubbly.

Fill your cocktail glass with ice. Hold the strainer over your glass while you pour the drink from the cocktail shaker. This should catch the raspberry bits.

Top off the rest of the glass with the grapefruit sparkling water and stir. Garnish with a grapefruit slice.

Hype Girl Cocktail and Mocktail | This delicious and refreshing drink is perfect for getting you pumped up. It's a perfect blend of tart, bitter, sweet, and bubbly.

Hype Girl Cocktail and Mocktail Recipe

A fruity drink that's not too sweet. Make it with gin or vodka or leave it out for a refreshing mocktail.
Prep Time 3 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker or lidded mason jar
  • small strainer

Ingredients
  

  • 1Ā½ oz vodka or gin (omit for mocktail)
  • Ā¾ oz grapefruit juice
  • 4 raspberries
  • Ā½ oz beet simple syrup *see note for recipe
  • 3+ oz unsweetened grapefruit sparkling water (add more for mocktail recipe)

Instructions
 

  • Add the liquor (optional), grapefruit juice, and raspberries into a cocktail shaker.
  • Gently muddle the raspberries, just enough to smoosh them a bit and release the juice.
  • Add the beet simple syrup and a generous amount of ice.
  • Shake well.
  • Double strain** over a cocktail glass that's been filled with ice.
  • Top off the rest of the glass with the grapefruit sparkling water and stir.
  • Garnish with a grapefruit slice.Ā 

Notes

*Don’t be intimidated by the beet simple syrup. It’s actually quite easy and will only take you a few minutes. Check out the recipe here.
Ā 
**To double-strain, you’ll need a small strainer (like this one). Hold the strainer over your glass while you pour the shaken cocktail. This will catch all the raspberry bits. You can omit this step if you don’t mind the raspberry seeds in your drink.
Keyword beet, beet simple syrup, gin, grapefruit, grapefruit juice, raspberries, sparkling water, vodka

6 Simple Syrup Recipes to Spice Up Your Cocktails, Coffee, Tea, & Sparkling Water

Think flavored syrups are for professional bartenders and baristas? These simple syrup recipes will up your drink game with seriously minimal effort. Simple syrups are my favorite way to add excitement to otherwise every-day drinks.


Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like!


Pour these in your coffee for a gourmet treat. Add a splash to your iced tea. Make an easy mocktail by adding some to sparkling water with some citrus juice. Use it in any cocktail recipe that calls for simple syrup–or make your own cocktail and use one as the sweetener. Incorporate them into baked goods. The possibilities might be limitless.

While ALL of these simple syrup recipes are easy (hence the name ‘simple’), I’m listing these by the ingredients that are easiest to find. None of them are obscure, thanks to Amazon, and you might even have them in your pantry already. (Remember those cardamom pods you bought awhile back when you were on a chai tea kick?)

All of these simple syrup recipes should last 1-2 months in the fridge. I always make small batches because I typically don’t use a ton within one month. Feel free to double the recipes. I always have a ton of flavored simple syrups in my fridge. These little glass containers are perfect for storing all your syrups and make everything look organized.

Honey Simple Syrup

Honey Simple Syrup |  7 Simple Syrup Recipes to Spice Up Your Cocktails, Coffee, Tea, & Sparkling Water

Okay. You can probably make this one TODAY. Honey simple syrup is the best way to use honey in iced drinks like iced tea and iced coffee. If you’ve tried using regular honey in the past, you’re familiar with its tendency to clump up and take forever to dissolve into your drink. You can also use honey simple syrup in margaritas, a Pick 6, any variety of jam cocktail, or in place of traditional simple syrup in a Daiquiri.

The Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup water

The How-To

Pour the honey and water into a small saucepan. Heat them up until the honey is well dissolved. Pour into your container of choice and let cool completely. Store in the fridge.

Read my original post here.


Lavender Simple Syrup

Lavender Simple Syrup

Of all the simple syrup recipes on here, this one is probably the most versatile. My favorite ways to enjoy this syrup are in lattes and in lieu of regular simple syrup in a Tom Collins cocktail (a Lavender Collins). Your extra lavender buds can be used in baked goods, too.

The Ingredients for Lavender Simple Syrup

The How-To

Bring all ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan. Boil until the sugar is dissolved. Allow the syrup to cool in the saucepan before pouring it into a mason jar or small covered container. Strain out the lavender buds if desired. I personally like to leave a few of them in so they can further infuse the syrup as it sits in the fridge.

Read my original post here.


Matcha Simple Syrup

Matcha simple syrup is a great way to invigorate your iced tea, sparkling water, or a cocktail.

Oh man. This one is delicate and delightful. Not to mention it’s green, my fav color. The obvious thing to do with this simple syrup rendition is to use it in hot or iced tea for an extra boost. But I dare you to use it in a traditional cocktail like a Gimlet for an exotic layer of flavor. Or if you’re wanting a totally green cocktail, check out Rub of the Green.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon matcha powder (it’s pricey but a little goes a long way, even if you’re using it for tea)
  • 1/4 cup sugar (you could use stevia, coconut sugar, or agave to make this much healthier, but the ratios will be different)
  • 1/4 cup water

How to Make Matcha Simple Syrup

Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil, or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add the matcha powder. It will clump so whisk well. I whisked it as well as I could before pouring it into my container. Then I put the lid on and shook it again. That’s what finally got the last remaining clumpies out.

Read my original post here.


Rose Simple Syrup

Rose simple syrup  |  7 Simple Syrup Recipes to Spice Up Your Cocktails, Coffee, Tea, & Sparkling Water

Perhaps not for everyone, and maybe best used in small doses, this rose simple syrup delivers a floral punch. Okay, maybe not a punch and more like a “love tap”. Anyone else tell your parents that, no, you weren’t hitting your brother–it was a love tap? Rose simple syrup is divine in chamomile tea and exquisite in a Rose Darling.

The Ingredients for Rose Simple Syrup

  • 2 Tablespoons dried rose petals (pleeease make sure you are using food grade petals)
  • 1/4 cup + 1 Tablespoon water
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon rosewater (this stuff is POTENT- don’t say I didn’t warn you)

How to Make Rose Simple Syrup

Boil the rose petals in the water on the stove for 1-2 minutes. You’re essentially making rose tea. There won’t be much water in the pot so be careful to make sure the petals don’t scorch. Strain the liquid and discard the petals. Pour the rose tea back into your saucepan and add the extra tablespoon of water. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Remove from heat and add the rosewater & stir again. Allow it to cool completely before storing it in the fridge.

Read my original post here.


Beet Simple Syrup

Beet Simple Syrup  |   7 Simple Syrup Recipes to Spice Up Your Cocktails, Coffee, Tea, & Sparkling Water

Now, you could definitely chop up some beets and boil them in sugar. It would produce an especially-fresh beet syrup. However, I like going the easy route sometimes and already have beet powder on hand for naturally dyeing baked goods and for using in smoothies. Plus you’ll get an even more gorgeous pink color when using beet powder. It looks dark in the jar but when you pour into your beverage, it’s lighter.

Beet simple syrup is perfect for using when you want to sweeten a drink without making it too sweet. The earthy flavor of beets can bring balance to an otherwise too-sweet cocktail. Check out my Passionfruit Paloma with beet syrup. Mmmm.

The Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup sugar (or honey!)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon beet powder

The How-To

Add all three ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar. Pour into a small container like a mason jar. Let it cool completely before you put the lid on and stick it in the fridge.

Read my original post here.


Cardamom Simple Syrup

Cardamom simple syrup is an effortless way to add warmth and complexity to a cocktail, coffee, or tea.

I love adding cardamom simple syrup to my coffee. It also pairs well with Earl Grey tea. It’s also a key ingredient in my Golden Pothos cocktail. Cardamom is such a unique spice that’s hard to describe. You just have to try it.

The Ingredients for Cardamom Simple Syrup

The How-To

Crush the cardamom pods with a mortar and pestle if you have one. If you don’t, you can use a bowl and the bottom of a glass. No need to obliterate the pods– just apply enough pressure to crack the pods and release the seeds. Add the crushed cardamom, water, and sugar to a small saucepan. Bring it to a light boil and leave it boiling for 3-5 minutes. Allow it to cool completely. You can either strain the pods & seeds out before pouring it into a glass container or you can store the syrup with some of the pods.

Read my original post here.


There really are countless ideas for simple syrup recipes. You could make jalapeƱo syrup, rosemary syrup, turmeric, chamomile syrup, etc. You could even get crazy and combine two.

What’s your favorite? I’d love to hear your simple syrup recipes down below.

Royal Rose - Organic Simple Syrup

Down the Bunny Trail | A Spiced Honey French 75

Down the Bunny Trail is the perfect Easter cocktail if you’re not in the mood for something too sweet. It’s essentially a spiced honey French 75. For some reason, when I think “Easter cocktail”, champagne comes to mind. Maybe because of the association of Easter brunch and mimosas, maybe because champagne feels bright and springy. Or maybe because of the association with celebration. And as a Christian, Easter is definitely a celebration of something more than candy-filled eggs.


Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 


Don’t get me wrong, though. I love me some candy and the nonreligious traditions of Easter. It was always one of my favorite holidays as a child. I remember anxiously waiting while my parents went and hid our Easter eggs and being stoked to FINALLY get to eat the Cadbury creme eggs I’d seen on the kitchen counter. I remember the distinct smell of egg-dyeing kits, and watching the egg teeter on the thin wire ladle as I dipped it down into the colored cups. Nowadays, egg dyeing is outta control. I’m glad my daughter is young and won’t be expecting anything extravagant this year. Because sheesh, with Pinterest these days, some holiday crafts are beyond me.

The color of Down the Bunny Trail comes from the combination of lemon juice and a pinch of deep magenta beet powder. Honestly, I was going for a pretty pink color for my Easter cocktail but I think the orangey coral result is gorgeous. It looks like Easter egg dye. I promise it doesn’t taste like that though. It tastes like spicy sparkling bliss.

Beet powder would also be a great way to naturally dye your Easter eggs. I use it to dye cakes and frostings. If you aren’t using too much of it, it really doesn’t affect the flavor of baked goods. You can also use it in smoothies for a boost of vitamins and minerals. Or make yourself a Passionfruit Paloma with beet syrup as the sweetener.

If you’re not a huge champagne fan or if you’re the only one in your house who’ll be drinking it, consider buying the mini bottles of sparkling wine. That way, you won’t be wasting an entire bottle of the good stuff.

Ingredients for a Spiced Honey French 75

  • 1 1/2 oz spiced gin (or regular gin)
  • 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz honey-ginger simple syrup**
  • pinch of beet powder-– mostly for color but it does add a slight earthy flavor that I dig
  • 1-3 oz champagne, depending on the size of your glass

How to Make A Spiced Honey French 75

Make your honey-ginger syrup first. To make this, I added a small amount of ginger paste (the size of my pinky nail) to my honey simple syrup recipe. If I had fresh ginger on hand, I would’ve used that instead. If you have fresh ginger root, simmer a 1/2-inch knob in the honey syrup for about 5 minutes.

Add your gin, lemon juice, honey-ginger syrup, and beet powder to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well to mix up the beet powder. Pour the now-coral elixir into either a champagne glass (the traditional way to serve a French 75) or into a lowball glass filled with ice. Top your Easter cocktail with champagne.

To make this feel more like an Easter cocktail, I garnished it with a bun-bun on a stick. I feel like that screams Easter, no? I got a pack of 4 at the Dollar Tree for–you guessed it–a dollar. I’m pretty obsessed with the little pom tail.

Looking for other springtime drinks? Check out the light & lemony Tom Collins, a tart Gimlet or Lemon Drop, or my current favorite, the Golden Pothos. All of these are super refreshing and perfect for porch-sippin’.

Passionfruit Paloma w/ Beet Syrup

– Easily make this cocktail a mocktail by skipping the tequila. –

Passionfruit Paloma made with tequila reposado, grapefruit juice, sparkling passionfruit water, and beet simple syrup.

I’ve never been a big fan of a Paloma but this Passionfruit Paloma may have redeemed them. I like tequila and I like grapefruit soda, but putting together in a cocktail leaves me… grossed out. The last time I had one was in a casino in Reno. I lived in The Biggest Little City for a span (absolutely loved it) and had been raving to my friend about being able to get free drinks in the casinos. She came in town & off we went with $40 in hand.


Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 


Turns out, drinks aren’t free when you order them from the bar. I ordered us both a Paloma, because what was I thinking?, and they were awful. We hunkered down at the Blackjack table to drink our disgusting drinks because we paid for those dang things. But not all was lost. I mean that both figuratively & literally– we each hung on to twenty-five cents.

Passionfruit Paloma made with tequila reposado, grapefruit juice, sparkling passionfruit water, and beet simple syrup.

A traditional Paloma has tequila, grapefruit soda (like Fresca or Jarritos), and lime juice. I opted for grapefruit juice to bring that flavor upfront. I still needed to get that fizz from somewhere and I found it in the perfect form of unsweetened passionfruit sparkling water. The beet syrup brings a hint of earthy sweetness to the drink and imparts the stunning color.

Don’t be intimidated by the beet syrup. I got a huge bag of beet powder from Walmart for under $10. Beet powder is great for upping the antioxidant power of smoothies and for dying baked goods a range of pink shades. I recently used it to dye the icing of my daughter’s vanilla birthday cake. Only one party guest asked what the icing was flavored with, and he guessed cinnamon, so I’d say that it won’t make your recipes too beet-y. I’m not entirely health & wellness conscious but if I have the option to use something artificial or natural, I’m gonna opt for natural.

If you’re looking to make a *small* investment in your barware, consider buying a giant ice cube mold. A bigger ice cube is going to melt slower and make your drink a little colder. Plus they look cool & profesh.

Passionfruit Paloma made with tequila reposado, grapefruit juice, sparkling passionfruit water, and beet simple syrup.

The Ingredients for a Passionfruit Paloma

  • 1 1/2 oz. tequila reposado (skip this & make a great mocktail)
  • 1 oz. grapefruit juice
  • 1/2 oz. beet simple syrup
  • unsweetened passionfruit sparkling water (Aldi’s PurAqua Belle Vie brand is fantastic)
  • slice of grapefruit of lemon to garnish

How to Make a Passionfruit Paloma

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, tequila, grapefruit juice, & beet syrup. Shake well to combine. Pour into a low-ball glass with ice. Top off with your passionfruit sparkling water. Alternatively, you can “float” the syrup for a more layered effect but honestly, the taste is more uniform if you shake it with the other ingredients.

Passionfruit Paloma with Beet Syrup

A unique twist on the Paloma, this Passionfruit Paloma uses passionfruit sparkling water in place of grapefruit soda and beet simple syrup to sweeten it up.
Prep Time 3 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1Ā½ oz tequila (skip this to make a mocktail)
  • 1 oz grapefruit juice
  • Ā½ oz beet simple syrup (see note for recipe)
  • 2+ oz passionfruit sparkling water (unsweetened)

Instructions
 

  • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, tequila, grapefruit juice, & beet syrup.
  • Shake well to combine.
  • Pour into a lowball glass with ice.
  • Top off with your passionfruit sparkling water.

Notes

Check out the easy recipe for beet simple syrup here.
Keyword beet, grapefruit juice, paloma, sparkling water
Passionfruit Paloma made with tequila reposado, grapefruit juice, sparkling passionfruit water, and beet simple syrup.

Beet Simple Syrup

Beet simple syrup made with beet powder

Using a vegetable in a cocktail basically makes it healthy, right? This beet simple syrup is an easy way to bring some earthy depth and striking color to any drink.


Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 


The beet flavor is not overwhelming so even if you’re not a fan of these hot pink roots, you can still get behind adding them to your drink. You can buy huge bag of beet powder from Amazon or Walmart for around $10. And while this recipe only called for 1 teaspoon, there are a ton of other ways to incorporate beets into your life.

Beet simple syrup made with beet powder

You can mix the beet powder in smoothies, yogurt, or baked goods. It’s a great way to dye cake icing. Or put it into brownies for a hidden boost of antioxidants. I actually just made some beet juice ice cubes and can’t wait to incorporate them into a drink. Beets are high in folate, fiber, potassium, manganese, iron, and vitamin C. And although I can’t prove that all these nutrients will make their way into your cocktail glass, the beet simple syrup will at least make it look beautiful.

Beet simple syrup made with beet powder

The Ingredients for Beet Simple Syrup

  • 1/4 cup sugar (or honey!)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon beet powder

How to Make Beet Simple Syrup

Add all three ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar. Pour into a small container like a mason jar. Let it cool completely before you put the lid on and stick it in the fridge.

Wondering what to put this magenta magic into? Check out my Passionfruit Paloma.

Royal Rose - Organic Simple Syrup

Beet Simple Syrup

Prep Time 2 mins
Cooling time 15 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 4 ounces

Equipment

  • small saucepan
  • lidded container

Ingredients
  

  • 1 teaspoon beet powder
  • Ā¼ cup sugar (or honey)
  • Ā¼ cup water

Instructions
 

  • Add all three ingredients to a small saucepan and heat until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Stir or whisk until the beet powder is fully incorporated.
  • Pour into a small container like a mason jar. Let it cool completely before you put the lid on and stick it in the fridge.

Notes

Beet simple syrup should keep for about a month in the fridge.
Keyword beet, simple syrup, sugar