Combining rye whiskey, invigorating grapefruit juice, and a hint of raspberry sweetness, it's the perfect cocktail for something unique and delightful.
Prep time: 1 minute minute
Mixing time: 1 minute minute
- 2 oz Rye Whiskey
- 1 oz grapefruit juice
- ½ oz raspberry syrup
- Ice cubes
- Grapefruit twist or slice - for garnish, optional
Prep Glass: Place your cocktail glass in the freezer to chill or stir some ice cubes in it.
Add Raspberry Syrup: Add ½ oz raspberry syrup to the shaker.
Add Grapefruit Juice: Measure and pour 1 oz grapefruit juice into the shaker.
Add Whiskey: Pour 2 oz Rye Whiskey into the shaker.
Shake Well: Vigorously shake the ingredients together with ice cubes.
Strain: Fine-Strain the cocktail into your chilled glass.
Garnish: Decorate with a grapefruit twist or slice.
Substitutes:
- Rye Whiskey: Bourbon is a sweet and smoother substitute when I don't have rye on hand. Another option could be Canadian whisky, which might give a lighter profile.
- Grapefruit Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice or a mix of orange and lemon juice can replace grapefruit juice, but the cocktail will lose some of its characteristic bitterness.
- Raspberry Syrup: In a pinch, I've used grenadine. It's sweeter and slightly different, but it complements the cocktail well and it is actually the traditional ingredient.
Making a Pitcher of Blinker:
- Scale: For a pitcher serving 8, multiply all ingredients by 8. You'd need 16 oz of rye whiskey, 8 oz of grapefruit juice, and 4 oz of raspberry syrup.
- Mix: Combine the whiskey, grapefruit juice, and raspberry syrup in a large pitcher with ice. Stir thoroughly.
- Serve: Pour into individual chilled glasses, garnish, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Rye Whiskey Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic whiskey or a simple syrup infused with flavors of caramel and a hint of spice to replicate some of the whiskey's notes.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the rye whiskey, and follow the original steps for a refreshing non-alcoholic Blinker.
Making it Vegan:
Ensure that the raspberry syrup you're using doesn't contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products. Some commercial syrups might use non-vegan sweeteners or colorings. It's best to read the label or make homemade raspberry syrup to ensure it's vegan.