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Home » Drink Recipes » Cocktails » Vodka Cocktails

Grapefruit Martini

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This grapefruit martini is the perfect combination of tart & sweet. It’s an easy, fruity cocktail to make for a group of guests at a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party.

Overhead view of a grapefruit martini garnished with a half slice of grapefruit.

For other unique martini recipes, try this raspberry martini, this strawberry martini, this amaretto martini, or this lemon basil martini. You can also try one of these fruity martini recipes.

Some other citrus cocktails that are also great for a holiday party include this madras drink, this lychee mojito, this mango tango cocktail or this strawberry gimlet.

Jump to:
  • Recipe Highlights
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • Equipment
  • Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Variations
  • FAQ
  • 📖 Recipe

Recipe Highlights

  • This grapefruit martini has just the right balance of sweet & tangy. It’s not too sweet, and not too sour.
  • With only 4 ingredients, this is a quick & easy cocktail to pull together.
  • Grapefruit martinis are an easy drink to serve at a New Year’s Eve party for a bunch of friends.
  • During grapefruit season, this is a great recipe to use up extra grapefruits before they go bad.

Ingredients & Substitutions

The ingredients needed to make the martini.
  • Grapefruit: Use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. You can use store bought grapefruit juice as well, but it won’t have the same, fresh flavor.
  • Vodka: For this drink, use a medium quality vodka. You can replace this with gin if you prefer gin-based martinis.
  • Lime Juice: Use freshly squeezed lime juice rather than artificial lime juice. For a brighter, citrusy flavor, you can use lemon juice instead.
  • Triple Sec: Triple sec adds a subtle orange taste. You can replace this with Cointreau.

Equipment

  • A citrus reamer for juicing the grapefruit.
  • A cocktail shaker for making the martini.
  • Martini or coupe glasses to serve the drink in.

Instructions

Step 1: Add the grapefruit juice, vodka, lime juice and triple sec to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Step 2: Shake well for 5 to 10 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosted. Strain and serve into a chilled glass.

A collage of process photos illustrating steps 1 and 2.

Expert Tips

  • Chill the glasses in the freezer. Martinis are best served extra cold. Chill your martini or coupe glasses in the freezer before serving this cocktail.
  • Garnish your martini. If you are serving this martini to guests, add a simple garnish. Try a round slice of grapefruit on the edge of the glass, or an orange twist.
  • Adjust the sweetness. You can make this martini as sweet or as sour as you like. For a more sour drink, add extra freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. For a sweeter drink, add an extra splash of Triple Sec, or add in ½ oz of homemade simple syrup.

Variations

  • Mocktail: For a mocktail variation, replace the vodka and Triple Sec with a splash of sparkling water and orange juice. Or try this grapefruit paloma mocktail.
  • Herby: For a subtle herb flavor, add in ½ oz of a flavored herb simple syrup, such as this thyme simple syrup, this basil simple syrup or this rosemary simple syrup.
  • Fizzy: For a bubbly cocktail, top off the martini with some sparkling water or prosecco.
Eye-level view of a grapefruit martini on a couple white coasters, with a white background.

FAQ

Can you make this grapefruit martini in a large batch ahead of time?

Yes. Mix all the ingredients together and store them in the fridge. Don’t add in any ice until ready to serve, otherwise it will be watered-down. Shake in a cocktail shaker with ice right before serving.

Does this martini have to be shaken?

You can serve this drink without shaking it in a cocktail shaker, but it tastes better when shaken. Citrus cocktails are best shaken because the ice breaks down the tart grapefruit flavor, making it a light and refreshing cocktail.

What can I use if I don’t have a cocktail shaker?

If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, fill a large mason jar with ice. Add the ingredients and put on the mason jar lid. Shake well and strain out the ice before serving.

A pink grapefruit martini, garnished with a slice of grapefruit, sitting on a couple white marble coasters.
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📖 Recipe

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Overhead view of a grapefruit martini garnished with a half slice of grapefruit.

Grapefruit Martini


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  • Author: Ali
  • Total Time: 3 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This grapefruit martini is the perfect combination of tart & sweet. It’s an easy, fruity cocktail to make for a group of guests at a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ oz grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 oz vodka
  • ¾ oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • ¼ oz triple sec

Instructions

  1. Add the grapefruit juice, vodka, lime juice and triple sec to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
  2. Shake well for 5 to 10 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosted. Strain and pour into a chilled martini glass. Enjoy responsibly!

Notes

  • Mocktail: For a mocktail variation, replace the vodka and Triple Sec with a splash of sparkling water and orange juice.
  • Adjust the sweetness. For a more sour drink, add extra freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. For a sweeter drink, add an extra splash of Triple Sec, or add in ½ oz of homemade simple syrup.
  • Prep Time: 3 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cocktail
  • Calories: 132
  • Sugar: 10.8g
  • Sodium: 2mg
  • Fat: 0.1g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12.5g
  • Fiber: 0.1g
  • Protein: 0.5g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: martini recipe, grapefruit cocktail

Leave a comment if you tried this recipe!

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Hi, I'm Ali! Full-time nurse, lifetime foodie. Join me as I create, eat and drink the most delicious brunch, cocktail & dessert recipes! More about me —>

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