Pucker-Worthy Grapefruit Martini Recipe That Pops With Flavor

We love this light pink martini with a pop of sour citrus flavor that'll wake up your palate.

Updated January 29, 2024
Delicious Grapefruit Martinis

A grapefruit martini is perfect for anyone looking for a itty, bitty, tarty-tini. This summer cocktail is a splash of fun with sweet and tangy flavors that are refreshing on the tongue. Get the flavor of a juicy ruby grapefruit squeezed into your drink that's an oh-so-satisfying cocktail with a lot of citrus flair. 

How to Make a Grapefruit Martini 

A grapefruit martini is the perfect beverage for anyone who fancies something refreshing with a mix of sweet and sour. It's also a fun recipe that allows you to experiment using different types of grapefruit such as white, yellow, pink, Pomelo, or Melogold. 

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Chill a martini glass.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the simple syrup, grapefruit juice, orange liqueur, and vodka.
  3. Add ice and shake to chill.
  4. Strain the mixture into the chilled martini glass.
  5. Garnish with an olive.
Quick Tip

If you're not a fan of vodka, replace it with gin or turn your cocktail into a bubbly martini by using sparkling wine like Prosecco. Substitute the grapefruit juice with wine and add 1½ ounces of grapefruit-infused vodka. 

Variations and Substitutions

Pump up the flavor with these tasty variations. This recipe is versatile; you can mix and match different vodka flavors to create a unique cocktail with two bursting flavors. 

  • Mix grapefruit vodka with other citrus-infused vodka flavors or vanilla vodka, peach vodka, blueberry vodka, or even cucumber vodka
  • Take the spicy route by adding a bit of ginger honey or a chili-infused simple syrup. 
  • Muddle a sprig of rosemary with the simple syrup before adding other ingredients.
  • Muddle a jalapeño chili slice with the simple syrup before adding the remaining ingredients.
  • Muddle sage or thyme leaves with the simple syrup before adding the remaining ingredients.

Related: 13 Grapefruit Juice Cocktails You'll Want to Savor

Garnishes

The olive is a classic martini garnish. But if it seems weird to combine it with grapefruit (we love sweet, sour, and briney together), try one of these instead. 

  • Herb sprigs
  • Grapefruit wedge
  • Dried grapefruit, lemon, or orange
  • Sugared rim
  • Lemon zest or lemon strip 
  • Candied grapefruit peel 

A Delicious Tart-Tini

When it comes to a citrus and tangy martini, the grapefruit martini is such a tasty and easy-to-make sipper. Kick off your shoes and take a happy hour by the pool, at a barbeque, or right at home, and let the warm summer breeze cool you down with a cocktail in hand. 

Pucker-Worthy Grapefruit Martini Recipe That Pops With Flavor