Grapefruit Bitter Cocktails

Grapefruit Bitter Cocktail Recipes

Negroni with Grapefruit Bitters

Ingredients:

• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 1 oz Campari
• 2-3 dashes grapefruit bitters
• Orange peel, for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari to the mixing glass.
3. Add 2-3 dashes of grapefruit bitters to the mixing glass.
4. Stir the mixture until well chilled.
5. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
6. Garnish with an orange peel.

Paloma with Grapefruit Bitters

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 2-3 dashes grapefruit bitters
• Grapefruit wedge, for garnish
• Salt, for rimming (optional)

Directions:

1. Rim a highball glass with salt (optional).
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. In a shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and grapefruit bitters.
4. Shake the mixture until well chilled.
5. Strain the mixture into the prepared glass.
6. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Gin and Tonic with Grapefruit Bitters

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 4 oz tonic water
• 2-3 dashes grapefruit bitters
• Lime wedge, for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add the gin and tonic water to the glass.
3. Add 2-3 dashes of grapefruit bitters to the glass.
4. Stir the mixture gently to combine.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Grapefruit Bitter Martini

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur
• 1/4 oz simple syrup
• 2-3 dashes grapefruit bitters
• Grapefruit twist, for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add the vodka, grapefruit juice, elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, and grapefruit bitters to the shaker.
3. Shake the mixture until well chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz agave syrup
• 2-3 dashes grapefruit bitters
• 1 slice jalapeño, for garnish
• Salt, for rimming (optional)

Directions:

1. Rim a rocks glass with salt (optional).
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. In a shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave syrup, and grapefruit bitters.
4. Shake the mixture until well chilled.
5. Strain the mixture into the prepared glass.
6. Garnish with a slice of jalapeño.

Grapefruit Bitter Spritz

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Aperol
• 3 oz Prosecco
• 2-3 dashes grapefruit bitters
• Grapefruit slice, for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a wine glass with ice.
2. Add the Aperol and Prosecco to the glass.
3. Add 2-3 dashes of grapefruit bitters to the glass.
4. Stir the mixture gently to combine.
5. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit.

Grapefruit Bitter Fizz

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz St-Germain elderflower liqueur
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 2-3 dashes grapefruit bitters
• Club soda
• Grapefruit twist, for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add the gin, grapefruit juice, elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, and grapefruit bitters to the shaker.
3. Shake the mixture until well chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.
5. Top with club soda.
6. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

Grapefruit Bitter Smash

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz honey syrup
• 2-3 dashes grapefruit bitters
• 3-4 mint leaves
• Grapefruit wedge, for garnish

Directions:

1. In a shaker, muddle the mint leaves.
2. Add ice to the shaker.
3. Add the bourbon, grapefruit juice, honey syrup, and grapefruit bitters to the shaker.
4. Shake the mixture until well chilled.
5. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.
6. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Grapefruit Bitter Boulevardier

Ingredients:

• 1 oz bourbon
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 1 oz Campari
• 2-3 dashes grapefruit bitters
• Orange twist, for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the bourbon, sweet vermouth, Campari, and grapefruit bitters to the mixing glass.
3. Stir the mixture until well chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with an orange twist.

Grapefruit Bitter Sling

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz gin
• 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz cinnamon syrup
• 2-3 dashes grapefruit bitters
• Club soda
• Cinnamon stick, for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add the gin, grapefruit juice, cinnamon syrup, and grapefruit bitters to the shaker.
3. Shake the mixture until well chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.
5. Top with club soda.
6. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Origin: Grapefruit bitters are a type of cocktail bitters that were created in the late 19th century. They were originally made by steeping grapefruit peel in a high-proof spirit, then adding other botanicals like herbs, spices, and roots.

Ingredients: The exact ingredients in grapefruit bitters can vary by brand, but they typically include grapefruit peel, other botanicals, high-proof spirit (such as grain alcohol), and sometimes sweeteners like sugar or honey.

Flavor: Grapefruit bitters have a bitter and citrusy flavor, with notes of grapefruit, herbs, and spices. They are often used to add complexity and depth to cocktails, particularly those made with citrus juices or other tart ingredients.

Proof: The alcohol content of grapefruit bitters can vary by brand, but they are typically around 40-45% ABV (80-90 proof).

Usage: Grapefruit bitters are primarily used in cocktails as a flavor enhancer and aromatic. They are often added in small amounts (a few dashes) to cocktails made with gin, vodka, tequila, and other spirits. They can also be used in non-alcoholic drinks and in cooking to add flavor to dishes like marinades and salad dressings.

Serving: Grapefruit bitters are typically sold in small bottles with a dropper top, allowing for precise measurements when adding to cocktails. They are best stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.

Production: Grapefruit bitters are produced by steeping grapefruit peel and other botanicals in a high-proof spirit. The mixture is then left to macerate for a period of time, often several weeks or months, to allow the flavors to meld. The liquid is then strained and bottled.

Manufacturer: There are several manufacturers of grapefruit bitters, including The Bitter Truth, Scrappy’s Bitters, Fee Brothers.

Variations: Some brands of grapefruit bitters may also include other citrus peels, like orange or lemon, as well as other botanicals like cardamom, coriander, or chamomile. Some may also be sweetened with honey or sugar. Additionally, some cocktail recipes may call for grapefruit bitters to be paired with other types of bitters, such as aromatic or orange bitters, to create a more complex flavor profile.

Grapefruit bitters can be mixed with a variety of ingredients to enhance their flavor, including:

1. Citrus juices: Grapefruit bitters pair particularly well with other citrus juices like lemon, lime, and orange.
2. Herbal liqueurs: Grapefruit bitters can add depth and complexity to herbal liqueurs like Chartreuse, absinthe, and vermouth.
3. Sweeteners: Grapefruit bitters can be balanced with sweeteners like honey, agave syrup, or simple syrup to create a well-rounded cocktail.
4. Spices: Grapefruit bitters can also be paired with other spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom to create a warm and complex flavor profile.
5. Spirits: Grapefruit bitters can be used with a variety of spirits, including gin, vodka, tequila, and whiskey, to add depth and complexity to cocktails.