Grapefruit Gin and Tonic

A Grapefruit Gin and Tonic is a tart and refreshing take on the classic cocktail. If you love sipping bubbly, fruity cocktails in the spring and summer, you’re going to love this G&T! 

What Is a Gin and Tonic?  

A classic gin and tonic is a highball cocktail that’s made with a simple combination of tonic water and gin. The exact ratio for this classic cocktail may vary depending on personal preference, but a safe bet is to use either a 1:1 or 1:3 ratio of gin to tonic water. 

The gin and tonic was created in the early 1800s by British officers who were stationed in India. Quinine-containing tonic water was used for medicinal purposes to prevent or treat malaria — but the incredibly bitter drink was tough to swallow. 

To make the tonic water slip down smoothly, it was mixed with water, gin, and lime. And thus the world’s first gin and tonic was born. 

What Does This Grapefruit Gin and Tonic Taste Like?

This recipe offers a citrusy twist on the classic cocktail. It uses the standard 1:1 ratio of gin to tonic water, but an equal amount of grapefruit juice is added for a pop of fresh flavor. 

The grapefruit juice adds a prominent tart and juicy flavor to the cocktail. The gin brings its characteristic juniper berry flavor along with other botanical notes depending on the specific gin you use.

The tonic water provides a bitter yet refreshing bubbly fizziness to the cocktail. A sprig of fresh thyme garnishes the cocktail and adds a subtle herbaceous flavor. 

It is a perfectly balanced drink that’s wonderful once the weather gets warmer or you want to reach for a lighter, bubbly cocktail. 

Required Bar Tools 

You’ll need very few bar tools to make this simple gin and grapefruit cocktail:  

• Citrus juicer — Look for one that is large enough to accommodate a grapefruit half, otherwise use a citrus reamer.
• Jigger — A useful bar tool meant for measuring cocktail ingredients. They have clear markings for various measurements, which makes assembling cocktails at home easier. 
• Bar spoon — A gin and tonic is stirred, not shaken. 
• Highball or balloon glass — The most common choices for building and serving G&Ts, but you may use any glasses or jars you have on hand. 

Cocktail Ingredients 

You need just three basic ingredients to make this gin and tonic with grapefruit juice, plus ice: 

• Ice 
• Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice 
• Tonic water 
• Gin 
• Grapefruit slices (optional, for garnish) 
• Fresh thyme (optional, for garnish)

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions to make this gin and grapefruit cocktail, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

What’s the Best Tonic Water to Use? 

Tonic water is a carbonated drink that contains quinine, a compound made from the bark of the cinchona tree that was once used to prevent and treat malaria. Tonic water is often sweetened to balance out the bitterness of the quinine. 

Cheap tonic water can ruin this simple cocktail, so be sure to buy a high-quality bottle. My recommendations are: 

• For a classic tonic water flavor: Fever Tree Tonic Water
• For less quinine flavor: Mediterranean Tonic Water
• For a more citrus-forward tonic water:  Citrus Tonic Water or Lemon Tonic Water

What’s the Best Gin for a Gin and Tonic? 

Gin is a distilled spirit made from fermented grains. It’s infused with botanicals — always juniper berries, but sometimes additional botanicals are added — to achieve gin’s signature flavor. 

There are three varieties of gin: London Dry Gin, Plymouth Gin, and Old Tom Gin. 

You’ll want to use a London Dry or Plymouth Gin for your gin and tonic. Use a quality brand such as Bombay, Beefeater, Hendrick’s, and Tanqueray.

Grapefruit Gin and Tonic Garnish Ideas

I suggest garnishing the gin and tonic with a a slice of grapefruit and a sprig of fresh thyme. 

Safety note: If you choose to garnish your cocktail with fresh flowers, make sure they are edible and not sprayed with any herbicides. The  flowers used in these photos are flowers from the thyme and violas. 

Cocktail Making Tips and Tricks 

• Use fresh grapefruit juice — Some grocery stores sell fresh pressed grapefruit juice, otherwise you can juice it yourself. If you buy a bottle of grapefruit juice, do NOT use a grapefruit juice blend because those often contain added sugar. 
• The amount of grapefruit juice can be adjusted — Add more juice for a tart, citrus-forward cocktail or less for a more subtle hint. 
• Juice the grapefruit in advance, if desired — If you plan on making grapefruit juice gin and tonics for a dinner party or barbecue, you can juice and refrigerate the grapefruits up to 48 hours in advance. 
• Choose quality gin and tonic water — There are only three ingredients in this cocktail, so you need to purchase quality versions of each. For the gin, I suggest something like Hendrick’s or Beefeater. For the tonic water, Fever Tree is a classic.  
• Store the gin in the freezer — This will keep it nice and cold, and as a bonus it won’t get watered down as quickly. 

Cocktail Variations to Try

For such a simple cocktail, there are a surprising number of ways to customize this grapefruit gin and tonic! 

• Replace the gin with vodka to make a grapefruit vodka tonic
• Swap the tonic water with club soda if you don’t like the bitter taste of quinine 
• Use fresh mint or rosemary instead of thyme for a slightly different flavor profile 
• Substitute the grapefruit juice with fresh lemon or lime juice 

Grapefruit Gin and Tonic Recipe FAQs

Got questions about how to make this recipe? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.

Should a gin and tonic be shaken or stirred? 

You’ll need to stir the gin and grapefruit juice before topping off the mixture with tonic water. 

Should the cocktail be served over ice? 

Yes, gin and tonics are always served over ice. 

Can I make a gin and tonic pitcher cocktail? 

Sure! Add the gin and grapefruit juice to a large pitcher and give it a good stir. Store the mixture in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. 

Chill the tonic water as well, then set it out beside the pitcher cocktail so guests can top off their glasses with as much tonic water as desired.  

Can I make this as a mocktail? 

If you’re sober curious or don’t drink alcohol, you can use non-alcoholic alternatives to make this gin and tonic cocktail. 

Some popular non-alcoholic gins include: Lyre’s, Ritual Zero Proof, Monday, New London Light. 

Safety tip: Note that depending on brand you use, some alcohol-removed spirits may still contain trace amounts of alcohol. Check before using/serving to kids or drinking during pregnancy, etc. 

Try This Grapefruit Gin and Tonic! 

Next time you’re looking for a fruity gin and tonic recipe to make at home, give this grapefruit G&T a try!

Did you love the refreshing, citrusy flavor? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this recipe.

On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me @goodlifeeats #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of this grapefruit gin and tonic

More Cocktails to Make Using Gin: 

This Raspberry Gin Spritz is a tart and fruity cocktail with plenty of spritz thanks to the sparkling water. 

Blush pink in color and deliciously sweet-tart in flavor, the Floradora is the perfect gin cocktail for spring or summer. It’s a simple drink that uses just 4 ingredients, but the taste is showstopping! 

Sweet, fruity, and floral, the French Blonde cocktail is perfect for spring and summer gatherings. It’s made with fresh grapefruit juice, gin, St. Germain, and Lillet Blanc. So easy to prepare, yet it tastes so elegant! 

A Strawberry Basil Shrub is made with fresh strawberries, basil, gin, and club soda! It’s a refreshing cocktail for spring or summer dinner parties, barbecues, and pool days. 

This Rosemary Gin Fizz is an earthy, effervescent symphony! The rosemary simple syrup adds a touch of sweetness that works beautifully with the botanical notes of the gin, while a squeeze of lemon brightens the flavor.

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