Grapefruit Cocktail Recipes Perfect for the Spring and Summer

Grapefruit cocktails add something special to a drink and are gaining in popularity.

The Paloma is Mexico’s most popular cocktail, with just enough sweetness and a dash of bitterness I can understand its popularity.

Paloma

This simple and refreshing grapefruit highball is beloved for a reason consisting of tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila

• ½ oz lime juice, freshly squeezed

• 4 oz Grapefruit soda

Steps:

1. Add the tequila, lime juice, and pinch of salt to the glass, and fill with ice.

2. Top with grapefruit soda, and stir briefly and gently to combine.

3. Garnish with a lime wheel or a grapefruit peel twist

With the new hype of ready-to-go drinks in a can, my favorite is Two Chick’s.

There are many variations on the classic Paloma:

• For a spicy kick, add a jalapeno slice

• Want to balance the sweetness, add a salt rim to the glass

• For a smoky flavor, swap Mezcal for the tequila

• For a “fresher” taste, use grapefruit juice and sparkling water instead of grapefruit juice

• Don’t like tequila, swap it for gin or vodka

The Blinker

A classic made with whiskey, its origins date back to 1934 in the Official Mixer’s Manual by Patrick Gavin Duffy, the recipe Is below:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz rye whiskey

• 1 oz yellow grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed

• ¼ oz raspberry syrup (substitute grenadine)

Steps:

1. Add all ingredients with ice and shake.

2. Strain and serve in martini glass.

Other Grapefruit Recipes

A local restaurant in my neighborhood has a grapefruit cocktail using vodka, grapefruit, elderflower, and fresh lime juice.

Taylor Swift has a favorite cocktail called the “French Blonde” using elderflower liquor, gin, Lillet Blanc, grapefruit juice, and lemon bitters.

Ingredients:

• 1⁄2 oz elderflower liqueur

• 1 oz gin

• 2 oz  Lillet Blanc

• 2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice

• A few dashes lemon bitters

Steps:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice.

2. Strain into a martini glass.

Below are my 2 twists on the grapefruit cocktails.

Spring Bloom Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 oz gin

• ½ oz grapefruit

• ½ oz elderflower

• ½ oz Lillet Blanc

• 2 dash bitters

• Splash of sparkling wine

Ingredients:

1. Combine gin, grapefruit, elderflower, Lillet Blanc, and bitters with ice.

2. Shake to chill.

3. Strain into a martini glass.

4. Top with sparkling wine.

5. Garnish with a fresh basil leaf or grapefruit twist.

Summer Morning Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Gin

• 2 oz Grapefruit

• 2 dashes Bitters

• 1 sprig Basil

• Splash of sparkling wine

Ingredients:

1. Combine the gin, grapefruit, bitters, and basil with ice

2. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds

3. Strain into champagne glass

4. Top with sparkling wine

5. Garnish with a fresh basil leaf or grapefruit twist

Have you tried these cocktails? What’s your favorite grapefruit cocktail? Let us know, comment below.