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If you want a summertime cocktail that’s refreshing, fruity, and not too sweet, a Grapefruit Gin and Tonic is for you! You only need gin, grapefruit juice, tonic water and ice to make this refreshing drink. It may have no frills, but it does have plenty of flavor!

Two glasses of gin and tonic are placed on a white countertop.
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It’s easy to indulge in sugary drinks, especially during the summertime. When you’re looking up cocktail recipes during the months of May-August, they almost all have lots of fruit juices and simple syrups. While I do love sweeter cocktails, it’s nice to also enjoy something on the less sweet side that’s still refreshing and fruity.

That’s where this Grapefruit Gin and Tonic comes in! A plain gin and tonic is tasty, but the addition of grapefruit juice makes it a touch more summery without making it sugary. When you take that first ice cold sip on a hot day or night, it really does hit the spot perfectly. This recipe also calls for just the right amount of gin – it’s noticeable, but not overpowering.

I also love how truly simple this cocktail is. Besides the ice, you really only need three other ingredients to concoct it. During a party, if you’re on drink duty, you don’t want to have to mix in a ton of ingredients. This is a great recipe to stir up in just a few moments, so you can be the best host, but also not miss out on all of the fun!

A glass of grapefruit gin and tonic is garnished with rosemary and grapefruit.

What You’ll Need:

  • Gin – Dry gin is ideal for this recipe. Try to use a good quality gin!
  • Grapefruit Juice – Any brand of grapefruit juice works just fine.
  • Tonic Water – The distinct bitter flavor of tonic compliments the gin and grapefruit juice in a delicious way. Don’t substitute it with anything else.
  • Ice
Two glasses of grapefruit gin and tonic are placed on a white surface next to extra slices of fruit.

How to Make a Grapefruit Gin and Tonic

For more detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Stir. Fill a glass with the desired amount of ice cubes. Pour in the grapefruit juice and gin, then give it a stir.

Top it off. Pour tonic water on top of the grapefruit mixture. Serve immediately, and enjoy!

Common Questions

Can I make a Grapefruit Gin and Tonic sweeter? Yes! I’ve found that the best way to sweeten these cocktails while still keeping them slightly bitter is to use honey. Simple syrup makes them a little bit too sweet.

How should I garnish my Grapefruit Gin and Tonic? Fresh herbs and grapefruit slices compliment this drink perfectly. I like rosemary, but you could opt for thyme, mint, or basil.

A cup of gin and tonic is placed on a white plate next to rosemary sprigs and grapefruit slices.

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5 from 1 vote

Grapefruit Gin and Tonic

These grapefruit gin tonics are oh so delicious! Perfect for entertaining or for when you are craving a delicious drink.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 5 gin and tonics

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup (118 ml) dry gin
  • 1 ½ cups (355 ml) grapefruit juice
  • 2 cups (473 ml) tonic water
  • Ice
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Instructions 

  • Fill a glass with ice. Pour the grapefruit juice and gin and stir to combine.
  • Top with the tonic water and serve immediately.

Notes

You can garnish with fresh herbs. Depending on the season you can use rosemary, thyme, mint or even basil.
I love it as is but if you like it with a more complex (and slightly more bitter) flavor profile you can add 3 drops grapefruit bitters to each cocktail.
Similarly if you want it sweeter you can add ½ Tbsp honey to each cocktail.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink, Calories: 33kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 0.4g, Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 115mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 8g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

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