This easy Grapefruit Collins recipe will refresh your senses! It's the perfect spring cocktail with Gin, grapefruit & lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
2 minutes
Servings:
1
Calories:
211
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin
- 1½ oz fresh grapefruit juice
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 3-4 oz club soda - to top up
- Ice cubes
- Grapefruit slice or twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Highball (Collins) Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Give it a quick stir to chill well and set it aside.
- Measure and pour ¾ oz simple syrup into the shaker.
- Add ½ oz fresh lemon juice.
- Add 1½ oz fresh grapefruit juice as well.
- Finally, add 2 oz Gin to the mix.
- Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Take the Collins glass and use the cocktail strainer to remove any excess water inside or replace the ice.
- Using the cocktail strainer, strain the mixture from the shaker into the ice filled glass.
- Top up with 3-4 oz club soda and stir gently to combine.
- Finally, place a grapefruit slice or twist into the glass for garnish. Serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Gin: If you're out of Gin, vodka is a great substitute that will still work well with the citrus flavors in this cocktail.
- Grapefruit Juice: If fresh grapefruits aren't available, bottled grapefruit juice can be used instead, though I always prefer fresh when possible. You could also use a different citrus juice like orange for a different twist on the cocktail.
- Simple Syrup: If you don't have simple syrup, you can make your own by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over heat. Try using a natural sweetener like stevia or agave nectar for a lower-calorie option.
Making a Pitcher of Grapefruit Collins:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of Gin, 8 oz of grapefruit juice, 4 oz of lemon juice, and 4 oz of simple syrup.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Gin, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into individual ice-filled Collins glasses, top with club soda, garnish with a grapefruit slice or twist, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic Gin's botanicals.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular Gin, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
This cocktail is already vegan-friendly as it doesn't contain any animal products. However, if you're making simple syrup, use vegan-friendly sugar (some sugars are processed using bone char).What is a Grapefruit Collins?
A Grapefruit Collins is a gin-based cocktail made of fresh grapefruit juice, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and soda water. This refreshing drink isn’t complicated; it requires the right ingredients and some shaking. The Grapefruit Collins is an exciting twist on the classic Tom Collins cocktail, adding grapefruit juice for a tangy kick.
What is a Grapefruit Collins made of – The ingredients
To whip up a Grapefruit Collins, ensure you have these ingredients:
- Grapefruit Juice: Provides the tart, citrusy base of the cocktail. Its acidity balances out the sweetness of other ingredients.
- Gin: Adds a botanical, slightly bitter flavor that complements the grapefruit’s tartness. It’s the primary alcoholic component.
- Simple Syrup: Sweetens the cocktail to counteract the sourness of the grapefruit juice and Gin’s bitterness.
- Club Soda: Gives the cocktail its characteristic fizziness and dilutes the strong flavors, making it more refreshing.
- Lemon Juice: Enhances the citrusy profile of the drink and adds an extra aroma.
- Ice Cubes: Chills the cocktail, making drinking more refreshing and enjoyable.
- Grapefruit Slice or twist (for garnish): Adds a visual appeal to the cocktail and it adds extra grapefruit flavor to the drink.
