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    Home » Recipes » Drinks and cocktails

    Published: Dec 21, 2019 · Modified: Oct 29, 2022 by Katie Beck · Leave a Comment

    Gin grapefruit cocktail

    Grapefruit is one of those fruits that was made to go with cocktails. It is the right amount of bitter and acidity to perfectly compliment a cocktai recipe. And a gin grapefruit cocktail really hits the spot.

    While my cocktails of choice most often include vodka, like this pomegranate vodka cocktail, I am branching out as of late with some gin and even a few bourbon cocktails. ANd this year, I thought why the hell not try gin. I was pleasantly surprised, I really enjoyed it. The grapefruit simple syrup was bright and citrusy. Adding a little sage threw in a savory element, but wasn't overwhelming.

    Jump to:
    • What mixes good with gin?
    • What to garnish a grapefruit gin cocktail with...
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Ingredient swaps and variations
    • Top tip
    • Grapefruit gin cocktail

    What mixes good with gin?

    Since gin is not something I drink a lot, I had to do a little research here. Tasting and reading. Hendrick's was my favorite and what I use for this, but I also liked Aviation too. Some of the most common things to mix with gin are:

    • Vermouth. For a martini.
    • Tonic. I think tonic is gross, but there's no denying that gin and tonic is a super popular and commonly paired cocktail. It has the right amount of bitterness and sweetness to go well with gin.
    • Grapefruit. Perfect for gin, because it is acidic, bitter and just a touch sweet.
    Overhead close up view of grapefruit gin cocktail with sange and grapefruit garnish.

    What to garnish a grapefruit gin cocktail with...

    Easy. Bruleed grapefruit slices. I mean, who doesn't love grapefruit covered in sugar. And I will tell you what, brulee-ing grapefruit is even better. It gets a crunchy, caramel-y top that you will love. I read about making grapefruit halves this way a few years ago here and have been eating them like this ever since. That garnish...AMAZING! It is like a little dessert to go along with your drink!

    Ingredients

    • Gin
    • Grapefruit juice
    • Sage leaves
    • Sugar
    • Grapefruit peel
    • Grapefruit slices

    Instructions

    You're going to start with a grapefruit simple syrup recipe, that you can make in about five minutes tops. Equal parts sugar and water, the peel of a grapefruit (this is where all the intensely flavored citrus oil is), a few sage leaves. Bring the whole thing to a boil, and continue boiling a couple minutes, until all the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and add the juice of the grapefruit.

    Let the grapefruit simple syrup sit until tis cooled. Then simply mix some of this with some gin in a cocktail shaker and pour over ice. I always top this cocktail with a little soda water to add some fizz.

    To make the awesome garnish, slice up a grapefruit and sprinkle with sugar. If you have a kitchen torch, simply torch the top until the sugar caramelizes. If you don't have a kitchen torch, just throw the slices on a baking sheet under the broiler for a few minutes. You will get the same results.

    Ingredient swaps and variations

    This grapefruit gin cocktail recipe is super adaptable, here's some ways you can mix it up:

    • Use a different liquor. If you are not a fan of gin, or don't have any, this grapefruit simple syrup pairs really well with vodka or even tequila.
    • Use a different herb. Gin is kind of floral, and goes really nice with herbs. If you don't have sage, rosemary or lavender would work great in this recipe as well.
    • Switch up the citrus. Blood orange is a great substitute here as would be lime or regular orange.

    Top tip

    My biggest tip for making this grapefruit gin cocktail is to make sure that no matter what fruit you're using, to make sure to use the peel in the simple syrup. The fruit peel is where all the good fragrant citrus oil is and it will really make your simple syrup stand out for this cocktail.

    Overhead view of a grapefruit gin cocktail in a glass with bruleed grapefruit garnish.

    Grapefruit gin cocktail

    A refreshing grapefruit gin cocktail recipe, with an easy to make simple syrup garnished with a bruleed grapefruit slice.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save to collection
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: gin cocktail, grapefruit gin cocktail, holiday cocktail, holiday drinks, simple syrup
    Servings: 8 servings
    2
    Author: Katie Beck

    Equipment

    • kitchen torch

    Ingredients

    For the simple syrup

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup sugar
    • juice of one grapefruit
    • peel of one grapefruit
    • 2 teaspoon sage leaves

    For the cocktail

    • ½ cup grapefruit simple syrup
    • 1 cup gin
    • Soda water or even better grapefruit italian soda or grapefruit flavored soda water

    For the bruleed grapefruit garnish

    • 1 grapefruit sliced into circles about ¼ inch or so thick
    • 1 tablespoon sugar

    Instructions

    • To make the simple syrup, combine the sugar, water, grapefruit peel and sage leaves in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and simmer until all the sugar disolves and the mixture is thick and syrupy. Put through a strainer and cool this completely. You can store this in a jar in your fridge for weeks.
    • To make the cocktail, in a cocktail shaker combine the simple syrup and gin. Shake well. Pour into two glasses over ice and top with soda water and mix gently.
    • For the garnish, lay the grapefruit rounds on a heatproof surface and sprinkle sugar over the top. The whole thing should be completely covered in sugar - it will end up being more sugar than you think. Torch the sugar until bubbly and caramel in color. Let cool until the brunt sugar is hardened and shiny (kind of will look like glass, think top of the french dessert creme brulee).

    Notes

    The recipe for the grapefruit simple syrup will make more than you need for these cocktails. Keep the extra syrup in the fridge for another day.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Fat: 0.2g
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Need a quick dessert cocktail? See the two white russians here and here.

    More Drinks and cocktails

    • Halloween mocktails
    • Pumpkin shake recipe - with leftover pumpkin pie
    • Chocolate cherry smoothie
    • Tahini hot chocolate

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    Hi, I'm Kate! My mission is to bring life to amazing food and recipes with a few tips and humorous stories (and a few swears) about life with a big, loud and crazy family. My recipes are accessible, adaptable and designed for any home cook to prepare and enjoy.

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