Grapefruit Gimlet

If you're looking for a cocktail that's light, fresh, and absolutely perfect for spring, this grapefruit gimlet is about to be your new go-to. It's bright, it's citrusy, it's a little bit tart, and it just tastes like warm weather and sunshine in a glass.

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You’ll love this Grapefruit Gimlet

It’s so simple. Three ingredients. That's it. Gin, grapefruit juice, and simple syrup. No complicated steps, no hard-to-find ingredients, just a really delicious cocktail.

It’s bright and refreshing. The fresh grapefruit juice brings this gorgeous citrusy tartness that makes this drink feel so alive and vibrant. It's the kind of cocktail that actually wakes you up a little.

It’s perfect for spring. Floral gin, fresh citrus, and a pretty pink color? This grapefruit gimlet was made for spring entertaining. It looks stunning on a table and tastes even better than it looks.

Ingredients

Gin. Gin is the classic base for a gimlet, and it is SO good here. The botanical, floral notes in gin pair beautifully with the bitterness of fresh grapefruit. A London Dry gin like Tanqueray or Beefeater works great, but if you want something a little more floral and delicate, try Hendrick's. It takes this grapefruit gimlet to a whole other level.

Grapefruit Juice. Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice is always going to give you the best flavor. The brightness and tartness of fresh juice is what make this cocktail so good. If you're in a pinch, a good quality store-bought grapefruit juice works too, just make sure it's 100% juice with no added sugar.

Simple Syrup. Simple syrup balances out all that gorgeous tart grapefruit bitterness and ties everything together. You can buy it at the store or make your own in about five minutes by combining equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Let it cool completely before using. Homemade simple syrup keeps in the refrigerator for up to a month!

How to make a Grapefruit Gimlet

1. Fill your cocktail shaker with ice. Load it up generously so your grapefruit gimlet gets ice cold before it hits the glass.
2. Add the gin, fresh grapefruit juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Seal it up tight and shake vigorously for about 15 to 20 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels frosty. This is what gets the cocktail perfectly chilled and gives it that light, frothy quality.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass. A coupe glass is the classic choice for a gimlet and it looks so elegant, but a rocks glass over fresh ice works great too if you prefer your cocktail a little more casual. Either way, it's delicious!
4. Garnish and serve immediately. Add your garnish of choice and enjoy right away while it's perfectly cold.

Substitutions and variations

Vodka instead of gin. Not a gin person? No problem! Swap the gin for a clean, neutral vodka for a vodka grapefruit gimlet that's just as refreshing. It's a little more mellow without the botanical notes, but still absolutely delicious. This is a great option if you're serving a crowd with mixed taste preferences!

Honey syrup instead of simple syrup. Want to add a little extra depth and warmth to your grapefruit gimlet? Swap the simple syrup for honey syrup instead. Just mix equal parts honey and warm water until combined. It adds a soft, floral sweetness that pairs so beautifully with the grapefruit and gin.

Top with sparkling water or club soda. Want a lighter, bubblier version of this cocktail? After pouring your shaken gimlet into the glass, top it off with a splash of sparkling water or club soda. It turns this grapefruit gimlet into a gorgeous, fizzy spritz that's perfect for brunch or afternoon sipping!

Garnish ideas

• Grapefruit slice
• Sugar rim

How to make a big batch of this Grapefruit Gimlet

Hosting a brunch, a spring party, or a happy hour with friends? This grapefruit gimlet pitcher recipe is your new best friend. Since there are no carbonated ingredients, you can mix the whole thing ahead of time and just pour over ice when you're ready to serve.

To make a big batch of grapefruit gimlets (about 8 to 10 servings), combine the following in a large pitcher:

• 2 cups gin
• 2 cups fresh grapefruit juice
• ¾ cup simple syrup

Stir everything together, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Pour over ice in individual glasses and garnish each one with a grapefruit slice. If you want that frothy shaken quality in every glass, you can still shake individual servings over ice right before pouring. Either way, it's a total crowd-pleaser and makes hosting so much easier!

FAQs

What’s in a grapefruit gimlet?

A grapefruit gimlet is made with three simple ingredients: gin, fresh grapefruit juice, and simple syrup. Everything gets combined in a cocktail shaker with ice, shaken until cold, and strained into a glass. It's tart, slightly sweet, and incredibly refreshing. You can also make a vodka grapefruit gimlet by swapping the gin for vodka if you prefer a more neutral base spirit.

What is a gimlet made of?

A classic gimlet is traditionally made with gin and lime juice, sometimes sweetened with simple syrup or Rose's lime cordial. The grapefruit gimlet is a fun, fruity twist on the original that swaps the lime for fresh grapefruit juice. It keeps all the bright, citrusy energy of a classic gimlet but with a little more tartness and a gorgeous blush color that makes it perfect for spring and summer entertaining.

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Want more gin cocktail recipes?

• Watermelon Gin Cocktail
• French Blonde Martini
• Gin Mule