DIY Grapefruit Infused Tequila

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Infusing your own liquor is easy and fun. This grapefruit infused tequila is delicious in place of traditional silver tequila in any margarita or Paloma cocktail.

Flavored liquors abound the stores, but you never know quite what you’re going to get. Added sugar? Artificial flavors and colors? All are very likely to be included. Infusing your own liquor is a great way to control both the flavor and sugar content while enjoying the natural colors imparted by the fruit.

Grapefruit peel needs some time to infuse with the tequila since we’re using the oils in the peel, not the juice from the fruit, to impart flavor. The tequila will also take on a slight color as the grapefruit lets off some of its natural color, so don’t be alarmed when your infusion is no longer perfectly clear.

What You Need

A picture of the ingredient for grapefruit infused tequila.

A grapefruit
Silver tequila
A pint mason jar and lid

How to Make Grapefruit Infused Tequila

Thoroughly wash your grapefruit.

Using a vegetable peeler, remove 2 - 4 inch pieces of rind from the grapefruit. Try not to get the white pith underneath the rind. Set aside.

Place grapefruit peels in a pint mason jar.

Grapefruit peel falling into an empty pint jar.

Add tequila and place the lid on the jar.

Tequila being poured into a pint jar with grapefruit peels.

Set the jar in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

Let sit for 24 hours.

Note: Be sure to pay attention to timing here. Leave it for multiple days and you will start getting a bitter taste in the infusion.

Remove the grapefruit peels from the tequila. You can leave the tequila in the mason jar or decant it into a prettier container.

Store tequila at room temperature for up to 1 month, or in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Tips on Grapefruit Infused Tequila

Use a glass jar.

Glass is the only way to go for liquor infusions. Plastic of any kind will absorb - and give off - odors, especially if anything was stored in it previously. Glass containers will ensure that nothing accidentally adds too, or takes away from, the infusion.

Pay attention to your infusion.

Don't put it together, toss it into the pantry and forget about it. You'll want to remove the peels as close to 24 hours as you can. Leave the infusion for days and it will turn bitter.

What kind of grapefruit should I use?

Because you’re only using the rind for infusing, pick whatever grapefruit is easiest to find at the store, but choose the prettiest one. The color found on the outside will lend itself to your infusion, so now’s the time to choose a grapefruit with lots of color on the rind.

What kind of tequila should I use?

Stick to silver tequila for this infusion and choose a quality spirit. Tequila is a liquor with a flavor all its own, so you want to choose something that has a smooth and clean taste that will be enhanced by the grapefruit. I like Jose Cuervo Silver Tequila for my infusions.

How can I use my infused tequila?

Grapefruit infused tequila is excellent in margaritas and Palomas. Just swap out the traditional silver tequila in the recipe for your grapefruit infusion, and make the cocktail as directed.