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Grapefruit Collins Cocktail Drink

Grapefruit Collins Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
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
  • 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).