12 Grapefruit Cocktails That Are Refreshingly Easy To Shake Up
These grapefruit cocktails are our favorite way to get some Vitamin C.
Chances are, your home bartending game could use a bit of brightening these days. The easiest way to spring-clean your usual drink lineup? Adding a perky splash of grapefruit juice to your cocktails and mocktails. Yup, you've read correctly. No need to shell out for fancy bartending tools or top-shelf liquors, grapefruit juice will pack all the zippy, acidic complexity you need for all your favorite drinks recipes. No matter your liquor of choice (rum, gin, vodka, and even zero-proof!), these 12 grapefruit cocktail recipes feature something for everyone.
Did you know? Some of the easiest (and most classic) cocktails out there star none other than bittersweet grapefruit. We'd even go so far as to say that grapefruit juice is one of our favorite mixers of all (sorry, cranberry juice!) So if you're typically reaching for a gin and tonic or a vodka-cran (aka the Cape Codder) swapping in a splash of grapefruit juice is the quickest way to jazz up your usual, making for a refreshing cocktail like a Salty Dog or Sparkling Greyhound. The same is true for your brunch-time mimosa. Take a break from the OJ for grapefruit juice with our recipes for grapefruit mimosas and Paloma mimosas and you might never go back.
Speaking of Palomas, they're a Team Delish favorite for a reason. If you've yet to have one, think of them as a margarita's sassier cousin, that features sweet-tart grapefruit soda (or grapefruit juice + club soda) along with tequila, lime juice, salt, and simple syrup. The perky pink drink is almost too easy to drink, and we'll take it anyway we can mix them (especially in frozen Paloma form).
Salty Dog Drink
Crisp, grapefruity, refreshing, and only three ingredients?! The Salty Dog just became our go-to summer cocktail. Sign us up.
Get the Salty Dog Drink recipe.
Grapefruit-Rosemary Mocktail Spritz
Spritzes are delicious year-round and should be for everyone! This easy-to-make, booze-free cocktail hits all the marks. It’s tart, herby, slightly sweet, a little smokey, and definitely an adult mocktail that isn’t too heavy on the fruit juice or sweetener. Serve with some bite-size apps, and get ready to really get the party started.
Get the Grapefruit-Rosemary Mocktail Spritz recipe.
Spicy Grapefruit Sidecar
If the idea of sipping cognac kinda scares you, fear not: This concoction of grapefruit juice, a sweet-and-spicy rim, and triple sec (which you’re familiar with for making margaritas go down so easy) makes for a top-notch cocktail.
Get the Spicy Grapefruit Sidecar recipe.
Paloma Cocktail
While the classic margarita may get all the attention stateside, the paloma (its pink-hued cousin) deserves its fair share of the spotlight. It’s certainly beloved here at Delish, with one of our food editors calling it “dangerously drinkable” after just one sip. Along with its sweet, citrus-y flavor, the paloma is also perfectly simple to create, making it an ideal low-lift summer cocktail.
Get the Paloma Cocktail recipe.
Sparkling Greyhounds
A classic greyhound keeps it simple: grapefruit juice, vodka or gin, and ice. Our version includes some sparkly upgrades: a sweet/savory rim made of sugar and salt, and a sugar-encrusted sprig of rosemary. Refreshing and easy to down, they're great for a lively brunch or cocktail hour.
Get the Sparkling Greyhounds recipe.
Tequila Sunset
We're suckers for any tequila cocktail, but this recipe might get us more excited than a margarita, which says A LOT. If you wish a tequila sunrise was more tart than sweet, you'll enjoy this Tequila Sunset (which uses grapefruit juice for the traditional orange juice). We love the grenadine for color, but if you don't have on hand skip it—the flavor still works.
Get the Tequila Sunset recipe.
Frozen Paloma
Nothing says summer like pomegranate and grapefruit... and tequila! This super-yummy, fruity Paloma slush gets a kick thanks to spicy chili powder-salt rim. Garnish with fresh ruby red grapefruit wedges for a presentation that’ll prove to your neighbors you’re this summer’s backyard party master.
Get the Frozen Paloma recipe.
Grapefruit Gin-mosas
No brunch spread is complete without a bubbly drink, and these grapefruit gin-mosas are mimosa’s classier and more mature cousin. The combo of fresh grapefruit juice, grapefruit soda, gin, and your favorite bubbly is a refreshing twist even the most basic brunchers will appreciate.
Get the Grapefruit Gin-mosas recipe.
Paloma Mimosas
Yes, we went there. We combined the refreshment of a paloma with the bubbles of a mimosa to make perhaps the best brunch cocktail yet. Want to add a little kick to your mimosas? Add 1/4 teaspoon chili powder to your sugar & salt mixture to give your rim some heat.
Get the Paloma Mimosas recipe.
Grapefruit-Rosemary Rum Smash
We love smashes because they highlight the best of what’s in season, in cocktail form. Try a fresh take on the classic whiskey drink with this grapefruit, rosemary and rum variation. The tang and herbal flavors combine with just a dash (literally) of agave to bring out the sweetness of the rum. It’s equal parts light and refreshing tasting, which is why we highly recommend sipping on one while you enjoy a few blackened salmon tacos.
Get the Grapefruit-Rosemary Rum Smash recipe.
Grapefruit Mimosas
While orange juice and peach nectar get a lot of play with bubbly, we think this winter citrus is the best served with a side of champagne.
Get the Grapefruit Mimosas recipe.
Grapefruit Margaritas
By swapping in grapefruit juice (instead of grapefruit soda), these margaritas are like a Paloma, but way better!
Get the Grapefruit Margaritas recipe.
Watch Next
