Make a grapefruit margarita to celebrate Cinco de Mayo or for sipping poolside this summer. Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice makes this cocktail bright, tart, and refreshing!
Impress guests with homemade margaritas this summer - no store-bought mix required! This fresh-squeezed grapefruit margarita is the perfect warm weather cocktail.
Margaritas are easy to make for a crowd and taste great when prepared with fresh fruit juice. Grapefruit adds a tangy, bright flavor that's refreshing and fruity. If you love margaritas, you must give this one a try!
Serve grapefruit margaritas for your next Taco Tuesday with friends, to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, or while grilling in the backyard. They pair perfectly with Mexican grilled chicken.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Grapefruit juice - Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice adds a bright, fresh, tart flavor. I highly recommend freshly squeezed over bottled juices, which are flat in comparison. One cocktail uses about half a grapefruit (depending on size). Want to make different fruit flavors? Try substituting with orange juice or pineapple juice.
- Lime juice - You'll need about one lime per cocktail (depending on size). Buy a few extra if you'd like to garnish with lime wedges.
- Tequila - Use your favorite tequila for this recipe. A bad-tasting or cheap tequila can ruin a perfectly good cocktail. Not sure where to start? Check out this article: Best Tequila for Margaritas. Tequila can also be substituted with mezcal for a smoky flavor.
- Triple sec - Feel free to use any orange liqueur you have on hand, like Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or orange curaçao.
- Simple syrup - Simple syrup isn't a traditional margarita ingredient, but adds a hint of sweetness that can help cut the tart flavor of grapefruit juice. Agave nectar works as a substitute. The simple syrup can also be omitted entirely if you prefer a tart cocktail.
Tips and tricks
Use a cocktail shaker - If you plan on making your own cocktails at home, I suggest investing in a simple cocktail shaker, like this one on Amazon. Add ice to a cocktail shaker, then add your cocktail ingredients. Shake until mixed, then pour over ice in a lowball glass.
To make simple syrup - Add sugar and water at a 1:1 ratio (ex: ½ cup of sugar and ½ cup of water) in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute, or until all sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and allow your simple syrup to cool before adding to your cocktail.
Frequently asked questions
A classic margarita is made with tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. Some margaritas also include simple syrup and other fruit juices for sweetness.
A lime wedge or slice, a grapefruit wedge, and a salt or sugar rim are classic margarita garnishes. You could also add a jalapeno slice, a sprig of mint, or a tajin rim.
Both cocktails are made with tequila and lime. A paloma is prepared with grapefruit juice and club soda, or a grapefruit soda, and has a light, effervescent quality. A grapefruit margarita is made with grapefruit juice and orange liqueur (like Cointreau or triple sec) for a stronger citrus flavor.
Recommended
📖 Recipe
Grapefruit Margarita
Ingredients
- 3 ounces grapefruit juice
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1.5 ounces tequila
- ¾ ounce triple sec
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup, or agave nectar, optional
Instructions
- Optional: Pour a thin layer of kosher salt into a shallow bowl. Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glasses and dip into salt to coat. Set aside.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add grapefruit juice, lime juice, tequila, triple sec, and simple syrup. Shake until combined.
- Fill glasses with ice. Pour margarita over ice and serve immediately. Garnish with lime or grapefruit wedge as desired.
Equipment Recommendations
Notes
- You'll need about half of one grapefruit and one lime per cocktail.
- Freshly squeezed juice is highly recommended for best flavor. Bottled juices taste flat in comparison to the bright flavor of freshly squeezed juice.
I cheated and used bottle grapefruit juice, but I love it!! Very refreshing and different!!
Very refreshing margarita! Thank you!!
These were great, so light and fresh!