Grapefruit Vodka Cocktail Recipe
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This grapefruit vodka is a refreshing blend of tangy and sweet. For the best experience, serve it with club soda in a glass rimmed with coconut sugar!
Nothing beats the heat better than a glass of fizzy citrus cocktail poured over a glass filled with ice.
With a beautiful hue that’ll remind you of summer and a vibrant blend of sweet and tangy flavors in every sip, this grapefruit vodka cocktail is perfect for your home happy hour!
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Looking for more vodka cocktails that you can whip up in minutes? Our Pink Starburst cocktail and boozy frozen lemonade are perfect for expanding your “Vodkabulary!”
Why You’ll Love This Grapefruit Vodka Cocktail Recipe
- Bursting with citrusy flavors, a layer of sweetness, and bubbles, this vodka and grapefruit cocktail recipe gives the classic Greyhound cocktail a fun and invigorating twist.
- This vodka grapefruit drink is perfect for any occasion! Clean-up is a breeze if you’re sipping solo since it doesn’t require a cocktail shaker. And for your summer soiree, it’s easy to make a big batch to cool off a crowd.
- The simplicity of this vodka cocktail with grapefruit juice means it’s customizable. Make it sweeter, add another fruit juice, or garnish it with a fresh herb to suit your taste preferences.
Ingredients And Substitutions For Grapefruit and Vodka Cocktail
For the rim of the glass
- Coconut sugar – Instead of having a salted rim like a Salty Dog, this grapefruit vodka starts out sweet with its coconut sugar rim.
- Fresh grapefruit juice – To help the sugar adhere to the rim.
Grapefruit vodka cocktail
- Fresh grapefruit juice – Fresh grapefruit juice makes all the difference in this grapefruit vodka cocktail. You can use red or pink grapefruit.
- Fresh lemon juice – Adds brightness for a balanced blend of citrus flavor.
- Maple syrup -The touch of sweetness rounds off the acidity of the grapefruit vodka cocktail. You can also use agave syrup!
- Vodka – Use your favorite vodka with a clean and smooth taste.
- Club soda – Adds fizz for an extra refreshing experience. You can also use ginger ale or grapefruit LaCroix.
- Ice – To keep your delicious grapefruit cocktail chilled and delicious for summer sipping.
- Grapefruit slice – For garnish. You can also use other citrus slices.
- Fresh rosemary – To further draw out its flavor and aroma, muddle the rosemary sprig in the bottom of the glass.
If you feel that your grapefruit vodka cocktail could use an extra oomph, try it with a squeeze of lime or a splash of cranberry juice!
Tips For Making Grapefruit Vodka
Use Fresh Grapefruit Juice
For the best flavor on your cocktail, squeeze your own grapefruit juice! The trick is to roll the grapefruit against the counter and use a citrus juicer to extract as much juice as possible.
Adjust the Sweetness
Taste the grapefruit vodka cocktail and adjust its sweetness to your liking by adding more maple syrup. You can also make your own stevia simple syrup from scratch!
Get Creative with Garnishes
Channel your inner barista and get creative with the presentation of your grapefruit vodka! Serve it with edible flowers, fresh grapefruit slices, cherries, lemon peel, mint, rosemary, or basil.
Grapefruit Vodka Recipe FAQs
Can I use bottled grapefruit juice instead of fresh grapefruit juice?
Because it’s free from additives, fresh grapefruit juice will always be superior to bottled juice. However, if fresh grapefruit juice is unavailable, you can use store-bought grapefruit juice.
How can you take the bitterness out of grapefruit?
To balance the bitterness of the grapefruit, sweeten it with maple syrup or stevia simple syrup. For this grapefruit vodka cocktail, the coconut sugar rim also helps offset any bitter taste from the citrus juices.
What alcohol goes well with grapefruit?
What are vodka and grapefruit juice called?
The cocktail made from vodka and grapefruit juice is called the Greyhound.
What’s the difference between a Greyhound and a Paloma?
The Greyhound cocktail combines grapefruit juice with vodka, while the Paloma cocktail combines grapefruit soda, tequila, and lime juice.
More Delicious Vegan Drinks
- Easy Vodka Drinks
- Skinny Margarita
- Christmas Sangria
- Caramel Cheesecake Martini
- Homemade Mixed Citrus Liqueur Recipe
I found this recipe for Strawberry Vodka Lemonade that I HAVE to try!
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Grapefruit Vodka Cocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
For the rim of the glass
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1 to 2 tbsp fresh grapefruit juice
Grapefruit vodka cocktail
- 1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1/4 cup vodka
- Club soda
- Ice
- Grapefruit slice for garnish
- Fresh rosemary for garnish
Instructions
- Pour coconut sugar on a plate and set aside.
- Rim the edge of a lowball glass with a grapefruit wedge, careful not to get its pulp on the glass.
- Dip the rimmed glass into the plate of coconut sugar until the rim is completely coated with sugar.
- Pour the fresh grapefruit juice, lemon juice, and maple syrup into the rimmed glass and stir until well combined.
- Add a shot of vodka to the grapefruit mixture.
- Add ice and top with club soda until the glass is full.
- Serve with a slice of grapefruit and a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Notes
- For the best flavor on your cocktail, squeeze your own grapefruit juice! The trick is to roll the grapefruit against the counter and use a citrus juicer to extract as much juice as possible.
- Taste the grapefruit vodka cocktail and adjust its sweetness to your liking by adding more maple syrup. You can also make your own stevia simple syrup from scratch!
- Channel your inner barista and get creative with the presentation of your grapefruit vodka! Serve it with edible flowers, fresh grapefruit slices, cherries, lemon peel, mint, rosemary, or basil.
Updated in March 2024 with new photos and minor recipe adjustments for improved quality. Enjoy!
