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    Home » Recent Posts » Cocktail Recipes

    Refreshing Grapefruit and Elderflower Gin Cocktail

    Published: Aug 3, 2021 · Updated: Dec 26, 2021 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!


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


    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Grapefruit & Elderflower Cocktail

    Full of fresh-squeezed juice and just enough sweetness, this easy Grapefruit and Elderflower Gin Cocktail is a delicious addition to your afternoon happy hour. 

    Elderflower liqueur is extremely sweet with a slightly floral taste, so it pairs very well with tart grapefruit and herbaceous gin. With only 5 ingredients, this cocktail is quick to shake up so you can get to enjoying your sip even faster. 

    Grapefruit & Elderflower Cocktails

    The color of your Grapefruit and Elderflower Gin Cocktail will vary a bit based on whether you use a red (pink grapefruit juice) or white grapefruit. Pick whichever fruit you prefer and/or is easily available in your local market. Red grapefruit are sweeter, so you may need to increase the simple syrup by 0.25oz if you use white grapefruit. 

    What You Need

    Ingredients and tools for grapefruit and elderflower cocktails
    • Your favorite gin (Mine’s New Holland Knickerbocker)
    • Elderflower liqueur (I use St. Germain)
    • Simple syrup 
    • A lime
    • A grapefruit

    How to Make It

    Make your simple syrup an hour or two ahead of time so it can cool completely before you’re ready to make the cocktail. Get instructions for simple syrup - and how to cool it faster if needed! - on my DIY Cocktail Syrups page. 

    Juice the grapefruit and lime into separate small bowls. Roll the lime on your counter, applying pressure with your palm, to release all of its juice before you cut into it. (You don’t need to do this with the grapefruit.)

    You can strain the lime and grapefruit juices to remove all the pulp if that bothers you. If you don’t mind a little pulp in your drink, you can skip it. 

    Tips on a Grapefruit and Elderflower Gin Cocktail

    What kind of gin should I use? 

    I love using a gin with lots of flavor in this recipe. My pick is New Holland’s Knickerbocker Gin. Bombay Gin would also be delicious in this recipe, but feel free to choose your favorite. 

    Can I use bottled grapefruit juice or lime juice? 

    Fresh juice is important in this drink. You should only need 1 grapefruit and 1 lime to make this cocktail. Bottled juices have additives, sweeteners, and colorings in them that change the flavor compared to squeezing the fruit. With only 5 ingredients - 2 of them being fruit juices - using fresh juice makes a big difference. 

    What kind of elderflower liqueur should I use? 

    I use St. Germain, which is easy to find in my area, but feel free to use whatever brand of elderflower liqueur you prefer. 

    Try These Elderflower Cocktails

    Looking for more drinks to make using elderflower liqueur? Here are two of my favorites: 

    Apple Orchard Cocktail

    Apple Orchard Cocktail 

    Elderflower Margaritas

    Elderflower Margaritas 

    Happy Hour Snack Pairing

    Avocado Corn Salsa

    Enjoy your Grapefruit and Elderflower Gin Cocktail with some fresh and creamy Avocado Corn Salsa. 

    More Delicious Cocktail Recipes You'll Love

    • Brown Sugar Grapefruit Cocktail (Video)
    • Citrus Margaritas (Video)
    • Strawberry Pineapple Martini (Video)
    • Apple Cinnamon Gin - DIY Liquor Infusions
    • Orange Ginger Gin Cocktail (Video)

    Print the Recipe

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    Grapefruit and Elderflower Gin Cocktail

    Grapefruit and Elderflower Cocktails
    Print Recipe
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    Full of fresh-squeezed juice and just enough sweetness, this easy Grapefruit and Elderflower Gin Cocktail is a delicious addition to your afternoon happy hour. 

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

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 oz gin
    • 0.5 oz elderflower liqueur
    • 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
    • 0.75 oz simple syrup
    • 0.25 oz fresh lime juice

    Instructions

    Combine everything in a cocktail shaker full of ice. 

    Shake it up! 

    Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice, sip and enjoy! 

    Equipment

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    Cocktail Shaker

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    Rocks Glass

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    Citrus Reamer

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    Keywords: elderflower liqueur, grapefruit cocktail, st germain, gin cocktail, elderflower and gin cocktail, happy hour drinks

    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!

    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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