They’re bright, tasty, and look beyond stunning in pinky-orange. Grapefruit might just be the perfect summer fruit. It’s energetic, light, and super refreshing. And you know what else? It’s lovely in cocktails. It tastes fantastic in sour and sweet drinks and even some savory ones. Plus, it pairs well with a variety of spirits. So, whether you want that fruity flavor front and center or prefer it as a sweet accompaniment, these grapefruit cocktails are here to make your summer one to remember.
Perfect Paloma Cocktail Recipe and More!
1. Grapefruit Vodka Cocktail
This bubbly cocktail is beautiful, citrusy sweet, and delicious! Oh, and it’s effortless to make to boot. Mix vodka with grapefruit juice in a glass filled with ice. Add the garnishes (grapefruit slices, a cherry, and rosemary), then fill it with 7Up and enjoy! Obviously, you can use whatever lemon-lime soda you prefer. But I don’t recommend seltzer. You want to use soda for the sweetness it gives. Fresca would add even more grapefruit goodness! And if you don’t have cherries, a shot of grenadine would be A++!
2. The Pink Pear (A Gin and Grapefruit Cocktail)
It’s sweet, sour, woodsy, and absolutely perfect. Well, I think so anyway. If you love fruity flavors, I know you’ll love The Pink Pear. It has a lovely blend of sweet and tart flavors, featuring gin, orange liqueur, pear nectar, and simple syrup. And grapefruit juice is the refreshing cherry on top. A pinch of salt brings it all together and makes the sweet notes stand out. It’s delicious!
3. Mint Grapefruit Mimosas
This bubbly and refreshing beverage is basically the drink of your brunch dreams. One sip and those classic mimosas will be a thing of the past. This fabulous and unique mimosa has fresh grapefruit puree, honey, and mint simple syrup. It’s so fresh and flavorful that when you add chilled prosecco, you’ll be hooked.
4. Spicy Paloma Cocktail
If you like things a little sweet and a little spicy, then you’ll love this. Originating from Mexico, a typical Paloma calls for tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda. It’s bright, boozy, and delish. This version kicks it up a notch with brown sugar and jalapeño simple syrup. And yes, it’s as good as it sounds.
5. Cantaritos Cocktail
Send your taste buds to citrus heaven with this Cantaritos cocktail! Like so many yummy things (and some drinks on this list), it hails from Mexico. It’s fresh, tart, and slightly sweet. The Cantaritos cocktail features tequila, grapefruit, orange, and lime juices. It’s topped with grapefruit soda for bubbles and sweetness. So, it’s like an even more citrusy version of the Paloma!
6. Paloma Cocktail
Okay, I’ve teased you enough. Here’s the perfect Paloma to sip poolside this summer. It’s very light, very refreshing, and bursting with citrus flavor. It’s also a breeze to make and looks incredible on your Insta! Mix your favorite tequila with grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and club soda. Stir, sip, and savor! And yes, this version calls for grapefruit juice and club soda rather than grapefruit soda. That way, you can make it as fruity as you like!
7. Greyhound Drink
Simple and easy to make, the Greyhound cocktail is lip-puckeringly good! And your lips will pucker with every sip because it is T-A-R-T. But don’t worry, it’s super delicious! It only requires three ingredients – vodka (or gin), grapefruit juice, and a lime wedge – all of which you’ll pour over ice. It’s easy peasy and sure to delight.
8. Grapefruit Margarita
Are you sensing a theme here? Grapefruit and tequila is the summer cocktail pairing you never knew you needed! If you want a delicious drink for Taco Tuesday, look no further than this margarita. It’s fresh, citrusy, and oh-so-delish. Plus, it’s easy to make with fresh grapefruit and lime juices, tequila, orange liqueur, and club soda. You’ll also need salt and sugar to rim your glass, plus ice for serving. If you want an icy margarita, add everything to a blender and blitz it until smooth. Either way, it’s perfect.
9. Epic Salty Dog Cocktail
If you like the Paloma, you should try the Epic Salty Dog. It’s very fresh, VERY tart, and a little salty. Like the Paloma, it’s made with grapefruit, lime, vodka, and bubbly water. But, there are a few differences. First, the Paloma uses simple syrup or soda, so it’s sweet. The Epic Salty Dog does not. Instead, this drink rims the glass with salt, like a margarita. So, you get a little salt with every sip. Also, this version uses grapefruit La Croix, so it’s seriously bursting with grapefruit flavor.
10. Seabreeze Cocktail
Let your taste buds sail away to cocktail heaven with this fruity drink. Featuring cranberry, grapefruit, and lime juices with vodka and club soda, it’s a kick of fruity goodness with a distinctly sharp finish. Feel free to use soda-pop instead of club soda for something sweeter. Or go ahead and add a glug of simple syrup. With or without the added sugar, it’s tasty and refreshing!
11. Hemingway Daiquiri
If you love rum cocktails but often find them too sweet, try the Hemingway daiquiri! Named for Ernest Heminway, this delicious daiquiri has the perfect ratio of sweet to tart. All you need is white rum, sweet grapefruit juice, lime juice, maraschino liqueur, and ice. It’s fantastic!
12. Grapefruit Negroni with Rosemary
I know this looks and sounds like a mixologist-only drink, but the Negroni is actually a breeze to make at home. And this pretty red version has some robust flavors I think you’ll enjoy. Like a Bloody Mary, it’s not a sweet drink, but it isn’t savory either. Instead, it’s somewhere in-between. Its most prominent flavors are herbal, citrus, and bitter. But everything is balanced by a lightly sweetened grapefruit and rosemary syrup.
13. Pink Grapefruit Martini
This pretty, sunset-colored drink is a total party pleaser. Like Sour Patch Kids candy, it’s sweet, sour, and super tasty. It explodes with citrusy goodness from fresh juices and orange liqueur. And like any good martini, it’s also pretty boozy, so sip with caution.
14. Nevada Cocktail
The Nevada cocktail is a rummy twist on the Greyhound cocktail from above. It has the same delicious flavors, but instead of vodka or gin, it uses rum. Unlike the Greyhound, the Nevada contains sugar, so it’s much less tart. This one also features a dash of bitters to balance all of the flavors. Yum!
15. Rosemary Brown Derby (Bourbon and Grapefruit Cocktail)
Good cocktails are all about balance, and the Rosemary Brown Derby is very well-balanced. Each sip features sweet honey, tart citrus, and caramelly bourbon. Soda water and rosemary impart a light, fresh, herbal element that you’ll love! It’s a total umami bomb.
16. Grapefruit Mojito
Mojitos are super popular right now because they’re intensely flavorful and super refreshing. This grapefruit version fits the bill perfectly and even has some extra zing. Two things make this mojito so special: First, you’ll brûlée fresh grapefruit before juicing it. It’s easy, so don’t worry! Just top it with sugar and broil it so its flavors are deep and caramelized. Then, add slices of red chili peppers for a little kick! The whole drink is sweet, spicy, fresh, and insanely delicious.
17. Grapefruit Shandy- A Bright Summer Beer Cocktail
A traditional shandy mixes beer and lemonade (Sprite) into a light, fresh summer drink. It’s ideal for people who don’t love beer but don’t want hard liquor, either. This grapefruit version is a fun twist that adds a nice tangy fruitiness. Plus, as with many grapefruit cocktails, you’ll add a glug of tequila for good measure.
18. Navy Grog
You don’t have to go on a long sea voyage to enjoy this citrus drink. Instead, run to your nearest liquor store and purchase all of the rum. Okay, maybe not all… but you do need three types- Jamaican, Demerara, and light rum. You’ll mix those with grapefruit juice, lime juice, honey simple syrup, mint, and bubbly water. Yum!
19. Blushing Lady Cocktail
This drink might be blushing, but it certainly isn’t shy. Instead, it’s delicious, boozy, sweet, and full of energy. Every sip of the Blushing Lady Martini sends your taste buds on a fruity adventure. It has pomegranate, grapefruit, and lemon notes, making it perfect for get-togethers and ladies’ nights.
20. Grapefruit Sunrise Cocktail
This drink is aptly named for its beautiful sunrise shade of orange. It’s so smooth and super delicious. The Grapefruit Sunrise features whipped vodka, grapefruit juice, orange liqueur, lemon, and grenadine. It’s light, sweet, and kind of dangerous because it tastes like juice. If, like me, you love a bubbly cocktail, add a splash of soda water.
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