Real Grapefruit Margarita Recipe

Patty brought home some grapefruit last night and basically said, “make me a cocktail.” I know, it sounds abusive and demanding but I live for these kinds of moments. We rarely have grapefruit lying around so it’s always a great opportunity to spin up a few of my favorite grapefruit cocktails.

Of course, we started with a bohemian—a personal classic fav of mine made with gin, grapefruit, and elderflower. Then I jumped to something I’ve never actually tried at home, a grapefruit margarita. But don’t you mean a Paloma, Shawn?

No, I’m talking about using grapefruit juice as the sole source of citrus in a margarita. The Paloma is a great cocktail, but I didn’t want to mess around with extra lime juice or soda water (which I didn’t have on hand anyway). Plus, tequila and grapefruit are a match made in heaven.

How to Make a Grapefruit Margarita

My grapefruit margaritas are made with reposado tequila, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and triple sec. They’re real, simple, and a refreshing twist on the classic marg. A lot of critics may think a grapefruit-based cocktail is bitter. Well, you’re right, however, paired with simple syrup and triple sec, that bitterness fades into the irresistible flavor.

Best Tequila for Margaritas?

A quick note on top-shelf tequilas. I love them for sipping on the rocks or neat with a lime, but I’d skip them when it comes to a margarita. There are several mid-range tequilas that are really good without breaking the bank:

• Milagro
• Espolòn
• Altos
• Hornitos
• Corralejo

Save the Casamigos and Don Julio for sipping.

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