This Grapefruit Basil Cocktail with vodka and lime is a fresh and herbaceous vodka-based cocktail that uses just a few simple ingredients. It's easy to make, delicious, and refreshing.
How to Make a Grapefruit Basil Cocktail
The process is quick and easy. I recommend buying a cocktail shaker that comes with a muddler. If you like making cocktails, you'll use a cocktail shaker often. Shaking a drink with ice creates a frothy, crystallized texture that I find most refreshing.
Muddle the Basil
Since the basil is one of the main ingredients in a Basil Grapefruit Cocktail, I recommend muddling it. Muddling herbs, or "crushing" them with a muddler releases their flavor and fragrance. You can muddle intensely for a more basil-toward flavor, or less intensely for a more subtle basil flavor.
If you don't have a muddler, you can use the back of a wooden spoon to bruise the basil and release some of its flavors. However, a muddler will more quickly and efficiently break it down.
Add the other ingredients
Next you'll add some fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice, vodka, and ice. I prefer using fresh grapefruits, but sometimes that simply isn't an option. It is absolutely fine to use store bought grapefruit juice, especially if you're going to be making a big batch.
Another excellent kitchen tool that I have come to love is my electric citrus juicer. It's inexpensive and can juice a lime in 10 seconds flat. You'll be amazed by how much juice comes out of a lime, lemon, or grapefruit when you use an electric juicer. So if you often make big batches of citrus-forward drinks like margaritas, a citrus juicer will significantly reduce the amount time it takes.
Watch me make homemade sour mix using an electric juicer in this Tok Tok Video.
https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdMWFBcb/
Shake it all up
Finally, just one step away from a bright refreshing basil grapefruit cocktail! I prefer almost any cocktail shaken, not stirred. For one, it produces a pleasantly frothy texture that makes the drink somewhat creamy. This creaminess counterbalances the acidity. Moreover, shaking with ice makes the cocktail as cold as can be.
Serve the Basil Grapefruit Cocktail Over Ice
You could easily serve this cocktail straight up. Straight up means that the drink was shaken with ice, but served neat (no ice). However, I like to serve it over even more ice to maintain the drink's refreshing nature. It'll just stay colder.
Watch me Make this Basil Grapefruit Cocktail on TikTok
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMenm1sBD/
Some Other Cocktail Recipes from On the Bias
Rosé Spritz with Rosemary Infused Vodka
Blood Orange Ginger Margarita
Grapefruit Basil Cocktail Recipe
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Grapefruit Basil Cocktail
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: cocktails
- Method: muddling, shaking, mixology
- Cuisine: summer drinks
Description
An easy, herbaceous cocktail, that's cold and refreshing for all your summer happy hours.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz grapefruit juice
- 2 basil leaves, plus more for garnish
- The juice of ½ of a lime, plus 1 wedge for garnish
- 1 cup of ice (half for shaking, half for serving)
Instructions
- Muddle the basil and lime juice in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
- Add the vodka, grapefruit juice, and half the ice. Cover and shake well for 10 seconds.
- Pour over a rocks glass with the rest of the ice. (Note 1)
- Garnish with basil and lime
Notes
- If you want the lower the ABV, pour the cocktail into a tall glass instead of a rocks glass, and fill with seltzer.
Keywords: grapefruit basil cocktail, basil grapefruit cocktail
Anonymous says
Love this recipe! Definitely trying it soon.
Kate says
Looks so refreshing! Can't wait to try this drink out and check our your other cocktail recipes!
Melissa says
this looks delicious! i love using grapefruit in my cocktails, it adds great citrus