This grapefruit crush vodka cocktail is a tasty and refreshing summer drink. Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, with both lemon and lime juices. Balanced out with sweet thyme simple syrup and a dash of triple sec. This tart grapefruit drink is an easy crowd pleaser that everyone will love!

Three grapefruit crush cocktails garnished with grapefruit slices lined up in a rue on an angle in a shiny metal tray, limes in the background.

For other grapefruit cocktails, try this grapefruit martini, or this non alcoholic paloma mocktail.

How to make thyme simple syrup:

This grapefruit crush cocktail uses thyme simple syrup instead of regular simple syrup. This syrup add both sweetness as well as a subtle thyme flavor to the cocktail.

How to make the thyme simple syrup: Heat 1 cup of thyme sprigs, ½ cup water and ½ cup granulated sugar together on a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and stir occasionally to encourage the sugar to dissolve. Continue to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature before mixing it into your cocktail.

For full details including storage tips, see the thyme simple syrup recipe.

Overhead shot of three crush cocktails on a metal tray, slices of grapefruit and lime and a spoonful of thyme scattered around them.

Ingredients:

Grapefruit Juice: Freshly squeezed juice is the best for this grapefruit crush, but you can use store bought grapefruit juice as well. Try to avoid any artificial tasting juices for the most authentic taste.
Lemon & Lime Juices: This crush cocktail uses a combo of both lemon and lime, which works really well for this drink. Again, use freshly squeezed juice for both.
Vodka: Any type of regular vodka works. If you happen to have grapefruit flavored vodka, you could use that, but it’s not essential.
Triple Sec: You can replace this with any other type of orange liqueur such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier.
Thyme Simple Syrup: This flavored simple syrup is easy to make and you can use the leftovers for lots of other types of drinks. If you want, you can just use regular simple syrup, but this thyme one is just as fast to make.

Three grapefruit cocktails beside each other in a metal tray, with fresh thyme scattered at the bottom.

Expert Tips:

Strain the pulp. If you are using freshly squeezed juices, pass the strained juice through a fine mesh sieve. This removes all the small pieces of pulp and makes a smoother drink.
Use fresh ice. Always throw out the ice you used in the cocktail shaker and serve the drink in a glass of fresh ice. The ice in the shaker is broken down and will melt quicker, watering down your drink.
What to do if you don’t have a cocktail shaker: Ideally, this grapefruit crush is made with a shaker. However, if you don’t have one, don’t let it stop you from making it. To make sure your drink is served nice and cold, chill the serving glasses, freshly squeezed juices and simple syrup in the fridge until cold. Chill the alcohols in the freezer. When making the drink, stir well to combine all the ingredients and serve with ice .

An individual cocktail with a grapefruit slice on the rim and fresh thyme along the side of the glass.

Variations:

Pear Crush: To add a slight pear flavor instead, use pear simple syrup rather than the thyme one. The grapefruit with still be much stronger in taste, so if you want a bit more pear flavor, add in some pear nectar.
Blueberry Crush: Replace the thyme syrup with blueberry simple syrup. This will also turn your drink a beautiful pinkish-purple color.
Mango Crush: Replace half of the grapefruit juice with pure mango nectar.
Fizzy Crush: If you like more fizzy cocktails, add in some club soda or sprite after you have shaken and strained the rest of the ingredients in a shaker.

Other cocktails you will love:

📖 Recipe

Grapefruit Crush

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

Author: Alejandra | The Littlest Crumb
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Description

This tart grapefruit crush cocktail is a tasty drink everyone will love!

Ingredients

Scale

½ cup Grapefruit juice
1 oz lemon juice
½ oz lime juice
1 oz vodka
¾ oz triple sec
1 oz thyme simple syrup

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Instructions

Add the grapefruit juice, lemon juice, lime juice, vodka, triple sec, thyme simple syrup and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker.
Shake well for 10 seconds, strain and serve. Optionally, serve with fresh ice for an extra chilled drink. Enjoy!

Notes

Use fresh juice. If possible, use freshly squeezed grapefruit, lemon and lime juices for the best taste.
1 oz = 2 tbsp. If you don’t have a jigger to measure ounces, use a tablespoon instead and convert the measurements. 1 oz is 2 tablespoons, ¾ oz is 1 ½ tablespoons and ½ oz is 1 tablespoon.
Variations: For variations on this drink such as a grapefruit pear crush, grapefruit mango crush or grapefruit blueberry crush, see the blog post.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Cocktails
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cocktail
Calories: 266
Sugar: 40.8g
Sodium: 10mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 43g
Fiber: 0.6g
Protein: 0.8g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Grapefruit, summer drinks, vodka drinks