Get These 34 Grand Grapefruit Juice Cocktails On Your To-Drink List

Are you planning what drinks to serve for your next get-together? Well, pucker up, buttercup, with these 13 Grapefruit juice cocktails you will definitely be grapeful for. 

We have all experienced reaching the end of a long week of work, maybe even with additional stressors or tasks as well, making it an extra long week.  

You are now ultimately relieved the weekend has arrived or that the project is done.  

All you want to do now is sit down, put your feet up and enjoy a glass of something truly refreshing to start your weekend or time off. 

The idea of a cocktail comes to mind, but what kind and which one?  

Great question!  

Since a cocktail is a drink that includes fruit juice and typically one hard liquor, let’s explore options using grapefruit juice!

Using fresh fruit in a cocktail adds not only a specific taste but also a specific color, like your Grapefruit Basil Mojito and Spicy Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail.  

Also, pink grapefruit juice adds an excellent zingy taste and layer of sweetness plus beautiful pink color to cocktails. 

It can be the focus of the creation or simply infuse a lingering hint of flavor.  

Some classic cocktails that use grapefruit juice are the Paloma, Greyhound, Salty Dog (#9), and The Brown Derby.   

Whether you squeeze your own fresh or simply pick some up from the store, grapefruit juice drinks tend to be a bit tart which gives them the refreshing trip to Nantucket, like in #13.  

Here are 13 grapefruit juice cocktails that just might start your weekend off right. ✨

1. Pink Grapefruit Martini

Grab that shaker and throw together this easy grapefruit cocktail in the form of a martini.  

Lime juice, vodka, orange liquor, grapefruit juice, and ice.

Shake it up.  

Strain into martini glasses (fresh from the freezer).  

Add lime to garnish.  

A virgin option is given as well using club soda and orange juice.

2. Grapefruit Basil Mojito

Herbs and a sweetener join the party in these cocktails with grapefruit juice!  

The stars of this show are light rum, lime juice, agave syrup, grapefruit juice, and basil.  

The basil leaves will need to be muddled, gently crushed with a wooden spoon, so the basil releases its flavor and binds to the rum better.  

Now you’ve got a grapefruit basil mojito to enjoy!

3. Grapefruit Gin Fizz Cocktail

Easy grapefruit cocktails are enjoyable any time of year! 

This one offers a switch-up on the classic gin fizz. 

Here we are instructed to swap lemon juice for grapefruit juice. 

The pink color is striking in this combination of gin, club soda, grapefruit juice, and ice cubes. 

Garnish with fresh rosemary and a slice of grapefruit. 

4. Grapefruit Honey Sake Cocktail

Some grapefruit cocktail recipes reach the sense of smell, as well as the sense of taste!  

The combination here of grapefruit and honey is light while the sake adds creaminess and a hint of grape and floral elements.  

It includes sake, honey, grapefruit juice, and ice.  

The glass is sugar-rimmed and the completed cocktail is garnished with fresh thyme and grapefruit wedge.

5. Refreshing Grapefruit & Elderflower Gin Cocktail

Lots of great explanations are given in some grapefruit cocktail recipes!  

Specifically, this one with simple syrup to make a couple of hours ahead, so it is well chilled. 

Included in this cocktail are gin, elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, grapefruit juice, and lime juice.  

Fresh squeezed is highly recommended for the pure pristine taste.  

Combine, shake it up, strain, enjoy!

6. Ruby Red Grapefruit Cosmo

Grapefruit juice cocktails typically can be made with either fresh juice or store-bought unless the recipe states otherwise…

Here it is recommended that store-bought be used for convenience.  

Other ingredients are vodka, Grand Marnier, and ruby red grapefruit juice.  

The recipe is literally a storyboard to show all the steps clearly. 

7. Classic Brown Derby Cocktail

Some grapefruit drinks are best enjoyed in the evening, but this beauty is often served at brunch so let’s call it an all-around cocktail.  

I am referring to the classic brown derby of course. 

Simmer together the honey syrup ahead of time so it can cool.  

When ready to assemble, the ingredients include bourbon whiskey, fresh grapefruit juice, honey syrup, and ice. 

Strain and pour into a chilled coupe or martini glass. 

8. Sparkling Greyhound Cocktail

The sparkling greyhound cocktail is another great selection off my list of cocktails with grapefruit juice!  

The ingredients here include vodka, honey syrup, club soda, grapefruit juice, ice and garnish with fresh thyme.  

A lovely sugar rim too.  

Remember to strain that grapefruit juice to remove pulp.  

Several customizing options are included as well.

9. Epic Salty Dog Cocktail

Grapefruit cocktails sometimes have a complimenting fruit and here it is a hint of lime.  

This recipe is also very different from the ones we have looked at so far in that it has a salted rim, hence the name, salty dog. 

Into the cocktail shaker goes fresh grapefruit juice, vodka, and lime juice.  

After shaking and pouring over ice, the glasses are topped off with grapefruit La Croix.

10. Grapefruit Agave Margarita

No way could I leave off my grapefruit cocktail list a tantalizing margarita!  

This recipe calls for Blanco tequila, grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, and ice. 

Salt those rims and use a lime wedge as garnish.  

Since the usual liqueur was replaced with agave, this produces a “lighter” cocktail for your enjoyment!

11. Grapefruit Rosemary Gimlet Cocktail

Fresh grapefruit and rosemary complement each other easily among grapefruit cocktail recipes.  

This rosemary gimlet capitalizes on this fact by combining fresh grapefruit juice, gin, rosemary simple syrup, and ice.  

Don’t worry, the rosemary simple syrup instructions are included.  

Pop in that sprig of fresh rosemary as a garnish and VY-OH-LAY—bottoms up!

12. Spicy Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail

Grapefruit drinks can hail from all corners of the world.  

This spicy doozie is a traditional Mexican cocktail. 

How so, you ask?  

Chili-infused simple syrup, that’s how! 

It starts as a Paloma with tequila, grapefruit juice, and club soda, but the kick comes from fresh lime and the syrup made with a Fresno chili.  

Trust me, you are going to want to watch the video and see all the pictures! 

13. Nantucket Seabreeze Cocktail Recipe

To conclude this list, I present yet another beautiful and refreshing grapefruit cocktail: The Nantucket Seabreeze. 

Doesn’t that sound like a revitalizing trip to the coast?

This one includes a new ingredient of cranberry juice along with grapefruit juice, vodka, lime, and club soda.  

There are a few more steps but they are well explained.  

The rich pink hue is stunning!

14. Sparkling Grapefruit Sangria

Sparkling, tasty, and not overly sweet, this concoction is bound to delight your taste buds!

It’s not cloyingly grapefruity, and the prosecco gives it a pleasant fizz on top of everything.

Also, there are luscious chunks of strawberry in this drink, which makes it even more inviting!

When it comes to drinks that can be made in bulk, this recipe is a perfect excuse to have some friends over!

Sangria may be made in only a few minutes, but it’s finest the next day when the flavors have had time to meld.

15. Spiced Grapefruit & Rum Cocktail

Ginger, citrus, and other spices are all mixed in this cocktail to create a unique depth of flavor.

What’s so special about this beverage?

It’s the pumpkin spice!

Pumpkin spice may sound unusual initially, but trust me when I say that the cinnamon and nutmeg in this drink make it one fantastic concoction!

An aftertaste of chilling-minty ginger liqueur lingers in the mouth after the first sip.

16. Tangy New England Vodka Sour

Make the best out of your high-end vodka and try this delectable cocktail!

In the New England sour, the tartness of grapefruit juice contrasts intriguingly with the rich sweetness of maple syrup.

Aromatic bitters add a tinge of clove and cinnamon to the drink, making it a pleasant surprise!

With a tweak on the classic sour, this uncomplicated vodka drink is perfect for fall get-togethers.

17. Grapefruit French 75

Traditionally, French 75 is created with lemon juice, but this novel twist uses grapefruit juice!

You’ll need to make your simple syrup and juice a grapefruit ahead of time for this recipe.

That way, the flavors of the simple syrup and the grapefruit juice meld naturally.

Zesty grapefruit juice works so well with grassy and floral gin, and the sparkling champagne adds a lovely touch of glimmer to this classy mix.

What an elegant drink to sip on, with its gentle pink tint and sleek glassware!

18. Danny Ocean 

Tequila connoisseurs will swoon over the Danny Ocean cocktail.

Casamigos Reposado Tequila provides this drink with a delightful honey-like taste of agave.

While the maraschino liqueur (grenadine) gives this cocktail an outstanding little sparkle to transform this cocktail from a fruity highball to a spectacular drink.

Danny Ocean is an excellent choice for mixing things up with tequila.

19. Classic Hemingway Daiquiri

Ernest Hemingway is the inspiration for this well-known classic drink, which bears his name.

The Hemingway Daiquiri, in contrast to today’s overly sugary blender holiday cocktail, gets right to the point.

This drink has a light and pleasant sweetness, with a crisp aftertaste.

A dash of grenadine adds a tinge of almond and vanilla-like sweetness that brings out the best in this cocktail.

20. Cantarito

A drink that’s made with tequila and presented in clay cups are called “cantaritos” in Mexico.

Each sip of the Cantarito is like drinking Moscow Mules in copper mugs because of the clay’s chilling effect on the drinker’s mouth.

Similar to a Paloma, but with fresh orange and grapefruit juices, the Cantarito takes the complex zesty flavor to a whole new level while using less grapefruit soda.

It just tastes better in every way!

21. Navy Grog

One of the first tiki concoctions to wash up on coasts was the Navy Grog, made famous by British sailors looking for a nightcap.

Topping it all off is the refreshing coolness of a rum backbone and citrusy sweet overtones that make this cocktail a must-have.

Navy Grog is a terrific tiki drink, a pirate cocktail that’s clean, aromatic, and hefty as a hammer!

The taste is excellent, but remember to drink in moderation.

22. Grapefruit Mimosa

As a celebration drink, a Mimosa is one of the top choices!

It’s true that you could drink sparkling wine straight up, but adding a squeeze of grapefruit juice elevates the experience remarkably.

What I love most about mimosas is that you can play about with the ratio and still get a great taste.

And for the taste combination, it’s like grapefruit juice and champagne are best buddies!

23. Jagermeister Cocktail With Grapefruit

As stated on their website, Jägermeister has over 50 botanical ingredients that have been combined in a secret formula that resulted in a herbaceous, bitter liqueur.

It’s a well-known spirit that’s simple to spot at bars and booze shops around.

And surprisingly, if you add grapefruit juice to your cocktail, the herbal profile of Jägermeister really shines through.

The lovely blend of grapefruit juice’s citrus flavor and Jagermeister’s aromas and botanicals taste fantastic!

24. Grapefruit Hot Toddy

A hot drink to cheer you up on a gloomy day is a fantastic way to lift your spirits.

Here’s a drink that’s been around for a long time: the hot toddy!

Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and maple syrup are blended with a splash of bourbon for a comforting cocktail.

Even the sensation of gentle mist on your face as you inhale the aroma makes your sip worthwhile.

25. The Siesta

Using Campari, tequila, lime, and grapefruit, the Siesta cocktail creates a swanky modern concoction.

Deliciously fascinating is this unusual blend of tequila, and Campari, with an extra zing from lime and grapefruit juice.

Campari’s sharpness is balanced by the tequila’s sweetness and earthiness, allowing you to appreciate the nuances of both spirits fully.

This clever mashup of Mexican and Italian liqueurs is a one-of-a-kind taste experience!

26. Grapefruit Crush

You’ve definitely heard of the more famous orange crush, but the grapefruit crush comes in a close second!

It is tangier than the orange version, but it is still a pleasant cocktail made with freshly made juice, triple sec, vodka, and a touch of thyme simple syrup.

Thyme simple syrup has a mild flavor that offers a pleasant mellow aromatic grassy, and floral tone to this drink.

27. Grapefruit Gin Spritz

Cocktails like these Grapefruit Gin Spritz are ideal for a fun brunch gathering!

There’s a herbaceous backbone and a tinge of bitterness to this drink, thanks in part to Aperol.

Prosecco is what provides this sparkling beverage with its fantastic shimmer.

Its delicate, lasting bubbles carry flavors of juicy melon, apple, and peach, blending harmoniously with the grapefruit and Aperol.

28. Love Potion Cocktail

This romantic cocktail is an excellent way to wow your special someone on Valentine’s Day!

Giving the finishing touches to this valentine cocktail’s appearance is both adorable and simple.

Put a strawberry heart on top of your martini or highball, and have a great time.

Seeing these cocktails with a bouquet of red roses together on a table would be very sweet!

29. Grapefruit Negroni

A classic Negroni is a Campari-based Italian cocktail.

Citrus grapefruit blends well with botanical gin, floral and herbal vermouth, and the bitter orange flavor of Campari to create a bright and fragrant cocktail.

Since grapefruit peel oils blend easily with other flavors, adding wedges of grapefruit enhances the cocktail’s flavor even further.

It’s a nice blend, and with the lesser alcoholic content, you can drink a little longer!

30. Grapefruit Shandy

With the infusion of grapefruit juice, the typical beer-lemonade shandy gets an upgrade!

What is the ideal beer to go with a Grapefruit Shandy?

This recipe calls for wheat beer.

With the grapefruit’s sweet, tangy citrus flavor, wheat beer has a complex flavor that combines nicely with it.

Perfect for pairing with your backyard bbq, this cocktail is fresh and cool!

31. Grapefruit Penicillin

Penicillin, popularly named because of its ability to ease the symptoms of the winter blues, gets a sprucing up in this tangy riff.

Rather than using lemon juice, this variant uses grapefruit juice instead of the lemon juice in the original recipe.

Plus, honey-ginger syrup, with its sweet and spicy notes, improves everything just a little bit more.

Drinks like these can be made in bulk for gatherings or enjoyed on the rocks.

32. Blushing Lady

Blushing Lady drinks are the perfect way to celebrate a girls’ night with your friends!

Pomegranate liqueur is the star of the show, and it’ll make you feel like royalty!

This sweetened liqueur tastes exactly like pomegranate!

It has a mild sharpness that contrasts with the sweetness and adds harmony to this cocktail.

Beautiful and easy to make, this blushing lady cocktail is full of fruity aromas and tastes.

33. Jet Pilot

This Jet Pilot has three rums infused and is ready to turn heads!

With cinnamon, falernum, grapefruit, and even a little absinthe mixed in, this isn’t your average boozy smoothie.

Absinthe and bitters from Angostura add depth and complexity without dominating the flavors of the drink.

Though a frozen drink, the Jet Pilot still needs to be closely watched in the mixer.

You’ll want to blend the ingredients until they’re incorporated but not entirely smooth, so the drink has a pleasant crushed ice texture.

One taste will whisk you away to the tropics without needing a plane ticket!

34. Sea Breeze

To sip on while lying on the sand, there’s nothing better than a classic Sea Breeze cocktail!

The Sea breeze Drink is a delicious concoction of sugary, tangy, and fruity tastes!

Grapefruits are a year-round fruit, so I recommend fresh-squeezed juice for a more pleasant taste.

This drink is a boozy fruit punch-like flavor that is sure to please!

The bottom line

Whether you are planning a get-together or an impromptu pregame opportunity comes up, you will be ready to enjoy time with friends with any one of these delicious grapefruit juice cocktails!

So many more fruity and wonderful cocktails to choose from!