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    Home » Recent Posts » Cocktail Recipes

    Simple and Delicious Brown Sugar Grapefruit Cocktail (Video)

    Published: Feb 16, 2021 · Updated: Aug 24, 2022 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Brown Sugar Grapefruit Cocktail

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission.


    The tartness of grapefruit and the smokiness of bourbon come together with brown sugar to create this citrusy Brown Sugar Grapefruit cocktail.

    Brown Sugar Grapefruit Cocktail

    This cocktail is my spin on a Brown Derby. A classic Brown Derby cocktail is bourbon with grapefruit juice and honey syrup. But it just doesn’t quite work for me. It does, however, prove that bourbon and grapefruit are a surprisingly tasty combination.

    When it comes to bourbon, I love brown sugar syrup over honey syrup or simple syrup for adding sweetness. The addition of grapefruit bitters plays up the fresh juice in this cocktail. This drink is perfect for your next party and a great way to introduce bourbon to friends who don't love an Old Fashioned. 

    Ingredients

    • Bourbon
    • Fresh grapefruit juice
    • Brown sugar simple syrup
    • Grapefruit bitters 

    How to Make a Brown Sugar Grapefruit Cocktail

    Combine everything in a mixing glass with ice. 

    Bourbon being poured into a mixing glass.

    Stir to chill and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. 

    Bourbon being stirred in a mixing glass filled with ice.

    Sip and enjoy! 

    Brown Sugar Grapefruit Cocktail

    Recipe Tips

    • Either pink grapefruit or white grapefruit is delicious in this cocktail, though as the names indicate, there is a color variation so your cocktail will look a little different depending on which one you use. 
    • Be sure to make your brown sugar syrup a few hours (or days) ahead of your cocktail hour so it has enough time to chill! You want to use cold syrup in your cocktails. 
    • Don’t have a mixing glass on hand? Stir up your cocktail in a cocktail shaker or mason jar.

    Looking for More Grapefruit Cocktails?

    (Not Quite a) Paloma
    (Not Quite a) Paloma
    Grapefruit Elderflower Cocktail
    Grapefruit Elderflower Cocktail

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where do you buy brown sugar simple syrup?

    You make it! Combine ½ cup brown sugar with ½ cup hot water. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, then put it in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours. Head over to my DIY Simple Syrups page for more tips and syrup recipes.

    How long does brown sugar syrup last?

    In the refrigerator, brown sugar syrup will last up to 3 weeks. Pay attention to the clarity of the syrup. Once it's cooled, it should be clear enough to see through. As soon as it starts looking cloudy, pour it out and make new syrup for your cocktails.

    Can I use bottled grapefruit juice?

    There's only 4 ingredients for this cocktail, so fresh juice is important here. Buy whole grapefruits and juice them! One large, red grapefruit should produce enough juice for at least 3 cocktails.

    How should I garnish this cocktail?

    Grapefruit slices, a grapefruit twist, or a couple cocktail cherries would be easy, fun garnish for this drink. 

    What can I use instead of grapefruit bitters?

    If you don’t have grapefruit bitters, leave them out instead of substituting a different bitters. I like the cocktail better with the grapefruit bitters in it, but it’s still tasty without them. 

    Happy Hour Snack Pairings

    A tray of bruschetta mozzarella.
    Bruschetta with Mozzarella
    BBQ Flatbread Pizza.
    BBQ Chicken Flatbread

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    Print the Recipe

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    Brown Sugar Grapefruit Cocktail

    Brown Sugar Grapefruit Cocktail
    Print Recipe
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    When it comes to bourbon, I love brown sugar over honey for adding sweetness, and the addition of grapefruit bitters plays up the flavor in this cocktail.

    • Author: Katy McAvoy
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 0 min
    • Total Time: 5 min
    • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
    • Category: Cocktails
    • Method: Stir
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 oz bourbon
    • 1.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice
    • 1 oz brown sugar simple syrup
    • 3 dashes grapefruit bitters

    Instructions

    Combine everything in a mixing glass with ice. 

    Stir to chill and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. 

    Sip and enjoy!

    Equipment

    Image of Mixing Glass

    Mixing Glass

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    Image of Cocktail Strainer

    Cocktail Strainer

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    Image of Rocks Glass

    Rocks Glass

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    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1

    Keywords: brown sugar, grapefruit, brown derby, bourbon, whiskey, happy hour, homemade happy hour, drinking at home, cocktail

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag me @katymcavoy on Instagram! I can’t wait to see what you made!

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    I love when you share my recipes!

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    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com. Since 2017, she's been crafting easy-to-make cocktails and delicious meals, along with sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    Katy McAvoy

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that a couple hours of meal prep pays off for days. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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