I paired grapefruit and rosemary in a Grapefruit Rosemary Cocktail and tucked a deceptively simple syrup trick inside that will make you want to read the full recipe.

Jump to Recipe

I’ve been playing with grapefruit and rosemary in drinks lately, and this Grapefruit Rosemary Gin And Tonic is a little conspiratorial. Bright bitter grapefruit meets piney scent when I add gin, preferably London dry, and a fresh rosemary sprig for that unexpected note.

It’s not the usual Gin And Tonic Recipe you scroll past, it’s more like a Grapefruit Gin Cocktail that makes you pause. I cant promise it’s fancy, but it pulls the kind of weirdly perfect balance that gets you thinking about how simple things can sing together.

You’ll want to try it when you need something different.

Ingredients

Print Recipe (No Advertisments)

Gin brings juniper bite and botanical aroma, no real nutrients just alcohol and floral notes.
Pink grapefruit juice gives tart, slightly bitter citrus, vitamin C some fiber and hydrating tang.
Rosemary adds piney aroma and tiny antioxidants, makes the drink smell herbal sometimes.
Tonic gives effervescence and quinine bitterness, mostly carbs from added sugar, some quinine.
Optional sweetener tames grapefruit tartness, adds sugar and calories, use sparingly for balance.
Garnish adds aroma oils, little nutritive value, makes cocktail look polished and zesty.
Ice chills, dilutes over time and can water down flavor, so dont overdo cubes.

Ingredient Quantities

2 oz gin, preferably London dry

4 to 6 oz tonic water chilled

1 oz fresh pink grapefruit juice about 1/4 of a large grapefruit

1 to 2 fresh rosemary sprigs, one to muddle one for garnish

1 grapefruit wheel or peel twist for garnish

Ice, plenty of cubes

1/4 oz simple syrup or 1/2 tsp honey syrup optional

How to Make this

Print Recipe (No Advertisments)

1. Chill a highball or Collins glass in the freezer for a few minutes and make sure your tonic water is well chilled, grab plenty of ice too.

2. In a mixing glass or small shaker add 1 oz fresh pink grapefruit juice and 1/4 oz simple syrup or 1/2 tsp honey syrup if you want a touch of sweetness.

3. Add one fresh rosemary sprig and gently muddle it with the grapefruit and syrup just enough to bruise the leaves and release the oils, dont pulverize them.

4. Slap the second rosemary sprig between your hands to wake up the aromatics and set it aside for garnish.

5. Pour in 2 oz gin, preferably a London dry, then add plenty of ice to the mixing glass.

6. Stir the mixture about 10 to 15 seconds to chill and dilute slightly, you dont want to overshake or lose the botanicals.

7. Fill your chilled glass with lots of ice cubes, then double strain or just strain the gin grapefruit mix into the glass over the ice.

8. Top with 4 to 6 oz chilled tonic water depending on how bitter you like it, pour gently down a bar spoon or along the inside of the glass to keep some fizz.

9. Give one gentle stir to marry everything, then garnish with the slapped rosemary sprig and a grapefruit wheel or a peel twist, squeeze the twist over the drink to express the oils.

10. Taste and adjust with a little more simple or honey syrup if it needs balancing, serve immediately while it’s cold and fizzy.

Equipment Needed

You’ll need:

1. Chilled highball or Collins glass
2. Mixing glass or small shaker
3. Jigger or measuring spoons (to measure 2 oz and 1/4 oz)
4. Muddler (or wooden spoon to bruise the rosemary)
5. Bar spoon for stirring
6. Hawthorne strainer plus a fine mesh strainer for double-straining
7. Citrus juicer or reamer and a sharp knife or peeler for the grapefruit wheel/twist
8. Ice scoop or tongs and plenty of ice cubes

FAQ

Can I use regular gin instead of London dry? Yes, but a London dry is brighter and cleaner which pairs best with grapefruit. A sweeter or heavy gin will change the balance so you might need less syrup.

How do I make honey syrup and how much do I use? Warm equal parts honey and water until the honey thins, cool it. For this drink use about 1/2 teaspoon, or skip if you like tart.

My grapefruit is bitter what can I do? Try a little simple or honey syrup to balance it, or use more pink grapefruit juice which is naturally sweeter than white grapefruit.

How hard should I muddle the rosemary? Very gently just a couple presses to release the oils. If you crush the leaves you get bitter resinous flavors.

What tonic should I pick? Go for a classic tonic with good quinine but not overly sweet. Floral or Mediterranean style tonics work great with citrus and herbs.

Can I make this ahead for a party? You can pre-mix gin and grapefruit juice in the fridge, but add tonic and ice right before serving so it stays fizzy.

Grapefruit Rosemary Gin And Tonic Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Gin: swap for vodka (clean, neutral, keeps drink light) or tequila blanco, which gives a bright agave edge that pairs well with grapefruit.
Fresh pink grapefruit juice: sub with blood orange juice or ruby red grapefruit, both give a similar sweet tart citrus. if you only have white grapefruit add a touch of honey to balance.
Rosemary sprig: use thyme or lemon thyme for similar piney herbal notes, or basil for a greener softer aroma.
Tonic water: try elderflower tonic for a floral lift, or plain soda water with a splash of Angostura bitters or a squeeze of lime for bitterness without extra sweetness, or grapefruit soda for a sweeter fruitier G and T.

Pro Tips

1) Use big clear ice and dont be stingy with it. Big cubes melt slower so the drink stays cold without getting watered down fast, and that keeps the grapefruit bright.

2) Muddle rosemary really gentle, just bruise the leaves dont mash them or youll get a bitter, grassy taste. Clap the other sprig between your hands to wake up the oils and rub it on the glass rim for extra aroma.

3) Taste before you top with tonic and add sweetener a little at a time if it feels too tart. Also try a lighter, less bitter tonic if you want the grapefruit to shine instead of being covered up.

4) Double strain for a cleaner sip, but if you want more texture skip the fine strainer sometimes. For bigger aroma squeeze a grapefruit peel over the drink to spray the oils, then drop the peel on top with the rosemary.

Grapefruit Rosemary Gin And Tonic Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I paired grapefruit and rosemary in a Grapefruit Rosemary Cocktail and tucked a deceptively simple syrup trick inside that will make you want to read the full recipe.

Servings

servings

Calories

197

kcal

Equipment: You’ll need:

Ingredients

2 oz gin, preferably London dry
4 to 6 oz tonic water chilled
1 oz fresh pink grapefruit juice about 1/4 of a large grapefruit
1 to 2 fresh rosemary sprigs, one to muddle one for garnish
1 grapefruit wheel or peel twist for garnish
Ice, plenty of cubes
1/4 oz simple syrup or 1/2 tsp honey syrup optional

Directions

Chill a highball or Collins glass in the freezer for a few minutes and make sure your tonic water is well chilled, grab plenty of ice too.
In a mixing glass or small shaker add 1 oz fresh pink grapefruit juice and 1/4 oz simple syrup or 1/2 tsp honey syrup if you want a touch of sweetness.
Add one fresh rosemary sprig and gently muddle it with the grapefruit and syrup just enough to bruise the leaves and release the oils, dont pulverize them.
Slap the second rosemary sprig between your hands to wake up the aromatics and set it aside for garnish.
Pour in 2 oz gin, preferably a London dry, then add plenty of ice to the mixing glass.
Stir the mixture about 10 to 15 seconds to chill and dilute slightly, you dont want to overshake or lose the botanicals.
Fill your chilled glass with lots of ice cubes, then double strain or just strain the gin grapefruit mix into the glass over the ice.
Top with 4 to 6 oz chilled tonic water depending on how bitter you like it, pour gently down a bar spoon or along the inside of the glass to keep some fizz.
Give one gentle stir to marry everything, then garnish with the slapped rosemary sprig and a grapefruit wheel or a peel twist, squeeze the twist over the drink to express the oils.
Taste and adjust with a little more simple or honey syrup if it needs balancing, serve immediately while it's cold and fizzy.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.