Grapefruit Vodka Cocktail with Rosemary
This Grapefruit Vodka Cocktail is a fizzy and refreshing drink that pairs perfectly with food. Easy homemade rosemary simple syrup comes together with fresh grapefruit juice.
Vodka Grapefruit Cocktail
Grapefruit cocktails are always a refreshing choice, great anytime you’re craving something tangy and vibrant with maybe just a hint of bitterness (in a good way).
Classic grapefruit cocktails like the Greyhound – simply a mix of vodka and grapefruit choice – are beloved for their clean, crisp flavors. There’s also the Salty Dog, which adds a salted rim to the Greyhound for a savory touch that enhances the citrus punch.
The Paloma is one of my personal favorites, mixing grapefruit soda and tequila.
This Rosemary Vodka Grapefruit Cocktail fits right in with these classics, but brings a little something extra to the table: a fragrant, herbal note from fresh rosemary.
This cocktail strikes a balance between zesty grapefruit and earthy rosemary, making a drink that is as sophisticated as it is easy to drink. It’s perfect for a boozy brunch or cozy evening!
This grapefruit vodka cocktail starts with homemade rosemary simple syrup.
Please click over to my post for rosemary simple syrup and make that recipe before you begin to make your grapefruit rosemary cocktail. Or, if you can find store bought rosemary simple syrup near you, go ahead and buy it!
But if you’re making homemade syrup for this grapefruit vodka drink, it will take you just 15 minutes to make, and 10 of those minutes are allowing the syrup to stand at room temperature. So yeah, it’s pretty easy.
The simple syrup will keep fresh in your fridge for at least 5 days, so you can enjoy a few rounds of rosemary vodka cocktails throughout the week (or even stir the syrup into honey lemonade or agave lemonade for an alcohol free refresher).
Grapefruit Cocktail Ingredients
- vodka – use a good quality unflavored vodka for this grapefruit vodka cocktail. I like Valentine Vodka made here in my home town of Ferndale, MI, or Tito’s, which is a national brand. This is also what I use in my jello shot recipe Halloween!
- fresh grapefruit juice – ruby red grapefruit preferred for this grapefruit vodka drink! If you can find the ones labeled “sweet” (usually from Texas), even better! Buy a few extra grapefruits and brulee them for a great parfait bar.
- rosemary simple syrup – linked to in the section above and the recipe card below, my recipe for this easy homemade cocktail syrup takes just about 15 minutes to make, and can be made and refrigerated in advance. Especially a great idea when you have rosemary left over after making best baked salmon recipe or mini Hasselback potatoes.
- club soda – or sparkling water like Lacroix, if you want to use that for this grapefruit cocktail recipe (also works in my basil cocktail).
- ice – crucial for this grapefruit rosemary cocktail, obviously.
- rosemary sprigs – the sprig garnish is optional but makes it oh so pretty.
How to Make a Grapefruit Vodka Cocktail with Rosemary
First, refer to 6 easy ways to squeeze fresh citrus juice to get your fresh grapefruit juice ready for this grapefruit cocktail recipe.
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After that, this grapefruit vodka drink is THE EASIEST, you don’t even need a cocktail shaker. I make it all in the glass it’ll be served in.
Simply fill a double old fashioned glass with ice. Add the grapefruit juice, club soda, vodka and rosemary simple syrup and give it a really good stir until everything is well combined.
Stick a rosemary sprig in there for garnish, and it’s ready to drink. I told you, this grapefruit vodka cocktail is so easy!
More ideas for rosemary infused simple syrup cocktails:
- BOURBON – My bourbon lemon rosemary cocktail is an herby twist on a classic bourbon sour cocktail. It uses the same homemade rosemary simple syrup. Bourbon lovers will also enjoy my bourbon mule recipe!
- GIN – The Rosemary Gin Cocktail I linked to in the first sentence of this post is a refreshing blend of fresh orange juice, gin, tonic water and rosemary simple syrup.
- A DIFFERENT VODKA IDEA – My cranberry rosemary cocktail is perfect for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season!
Tasty snacks to serve with a grapefruit vodka drink:
You can never go wrong with melted cheese and bread, so my savory baked brie is always a crowd pleaser. The cheese is topped with basil pesto and roasted garlic, and it’s the stuff dreams are made of to munch on with this grapefruit cocktail recipe.
My ground chicken meatballs and turkey meatballs recipe air fryer can be served as either main dishes or a party snacks, and they’re great with this grapefruit vodka cocktail. Don’t forget to make the yogurt dipping sauces – my favorite part!
If you’re into cured meats like prosciutto, I highly recommend my charcuterie cups, jarcuterie or even a charcuterie chalet to nibble on alongside a grapefruit rosemary cocktail.
The best prosciutto sandwich recipe has an herby mayo that echos the rosemary flavor in this drink.
For even more ideas, see my New Year’s Eve food and Valentine’s Day snacks posts. They’re all great for ANY occasion, not just those holidays.
Vodka and Grapefruit Juice Cocktail
Ingredients
- Ice
- 3 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
- 2 ounces club soda
- 2 ounces vodka
- ½ ounce Rosemary Simple Syrup
- Rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Fill double old fashioned glass with ice.
- Add juice, soda, vodka and simple syrup and stir until well combined. Serve garnished with rosemary sprig.
This looks delish! Would you have any suggestions on how to make it into a pitcher recipe?
Hmmm. I’d probably just multiple everything by 8 (or however many servings you need), and add a bit of extra club soda if you need to stretch it out.
Made this for a girls night and it is so delicious! It’s perfect for any season!
I’m so glad to hear this was a hit, Kara!