White Grapefruit Cocktail
A white grapefruit cocktail made with basil simple syrup and tequila for a light and refreshing beverage that’s well balanced. This drink allows you to imbibe without adding too much extra sugar, and the basil gives this drink something extra special. It’s like a grapefruit margarita!
As I sipped on a basic tequila and grapefruit cocktail I thought it could benefit from a little more pizzazz and depth, so I created this recipe. Basil is an amazing herb to use in cocktails, and an excellent flavor enhancer to add to simple syrup.
The flavor is subtle but delicious, and a few dashes of orange bitters brightens it up even more. That hint of sweetness makes this cocktail easier to drink since grapefruit juice is notoriously bitter.
This would be a great signature drink for a Mexican themed dinner party or for a Cinco de Mayo party.
Ingredient & Substitution Tips
What’s nice about this drink is that you can add a little more or less simple syrup to suit your taste. That’s what I love about mixology – there are no hard and fast rules, just balance the flavors to suit your palate!
While I squeezed fresh juice from white grapefruit, you can substitute with bottled juice. I recommend buying 100% Ruby Red Grapefruit juice from the refrigerated juice section; that’s usually located in the produce section of the grocery store.
I’ve made this cocktail with both Tequila Blanco and Reposado, and both versions are delicious. So if you have one or the other on hand, use it. Hornito’s is a fantastic tequila brand that’s both tasty and economical.
If you like a bit of smoky flavor, use a good quality Mezcal in place of tequila. The sweet and smoky combo is fantastic! I suggest using 1 ½ ounces instead of 2, for a proper balance of flavor. Ilegal is a great brand of mezcal that’s not too expensive.
More Cocktail Recipes
If you’re a fan of the classic Greyhound (vodka + grapefruit juice) or a Paloma, then I think you’ll like this. And for more grapefruit cocktails, try this mezcal & grapefruit soda drink or this grapefruit and gin drink with rosemary simple syrup.
You can also check out my amazing sparkling peach margarita or classic beer margarita for more tequila drinks.
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Grapefruit & Tequila Cocktail recipe
A light and refreshing grapefruit margarita-style cocktail with homemade basil simple syrup is a tasty twist on a classic. It's not too sweet, and it's perfect for summer entertaining or cinco de mayo parties.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces clear Tequila or Reposado tequila
- 1 ounce basil simple syrup
- 3 ounces fresh squeezed grapefruit juice (OR 100% Ruby Red grapefruit juice from the refrigerator section)
- 3 dashes orange bitters
Basil Simple Syrup
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- ¾ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
Instructions
For the Simple Syrup:
- Add sugar and water to a small pot and heat over medium-high heat to bring to a boil. Stir and make sure the sugar has dissolved. Add basil, and let it simmer for about 30 seconds.
- Remove from heat and let the basil steep as it cools at room temperature – about 30 minutes.
- Remove basil leaves with a hand held strainer or slotted spoon, and store in a small bottle with lid or covered, in the refrigerator until ready to use. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
For Cocktail:
- In a glass, add plenty of ice and all ingredients.
- Stir and garnish with fresh basil or a grapefruit slice.
Notes
Rim the glass with sugar for a bit of sweetness with each sip.
I love grapefruit and this sounds like perfection! A must-try for sure. Pinning!
Kelly, I used to eat them for breakfast as a kid but they were too sour for my young palette. Now that I’m all grown up it’s the perfect cocktail mixer! 😉
These may become my new favorite margarita! LOVE the grapefruit and basil combination—so refreshing for summer!
Liz, I can’t drink overly sweet drinks so this is a great one if you’re the same way. Hope you like it!
This sounds delicious! I have more basil than I know what to do with at the moment, definitely going to give this a try.
I love basil but can never seem to grown it (or anything else for that matter). This is a great way to use it though! 😉