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    Home » Cocktails » Tart and Sweet Grapefruit Sunrise Recipe with Vodka

    Published: Jan 24, 2023 · Updated: Jan 24, 2023 by Sharon Garofalow | This post may contain affiliate links. See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    Tart and Sweet Grapefruit Sunrise Recipe with Vodka

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Text - Grapefruit Vodka Sunrise with a photo of a sunrise cocktail made with grapefruit juice and a grapefruit triangle garnish.

    This easy Grapefruit Sunrise recipe is a fantastic vodka cocktail option when you want a sweet but refreshing mixed drink. This colorful and quick-to-make twist on a classic is great to share with a few friends at home or for a party.

    Grapefruit Sunrise cocktail in a short cocktail glass on a wood tray next to an orange fabric napkin.
    Let’s make this easy Grapefruit Sunrise recipe!
    Jump to:
    • This Grapefruit Sunrise Recipe is so Easy
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Substitutions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More easy grapefruit cocktails
    • Grapefruit Sunrise Cocktail Recipe

    This Grapefruit Sunrise Recipe is so Easy

    A Grapefruit Sunrise is such a gorgeous color. And thankfully it tastes great too! This is one of my favorite vodka recipes to make because it is almost foolproof and takes just minutes to make!

    This easy grapefruit cocktail can be made using store-bought juice or fresh if you prefer more of a craft taste. The tart flavor of the grapefruit juice helps to balance the flavors and make it super refreshing.

    Related: Slushy Vodka Sunrise Recipe

    The grenadine brings that layer of bright pink color that we love and also adds sweetness making this a great drink for people who aren’t hardcore cocktail drinkers.

    While I use a cocktail shaker to make this easy grapefruit vodka cocktail, you can also just make it over ice!

    Woman holding a cocktail shaker with text next to it.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients needed to make a Grapefruit Sunrise cocktail with vodka on a counter.
    What you need to make this cocktail with grapefruit and vodka.
    • Vodka
    • Grapefruit juice, fresh or store-bought
    • Triple Sec
    • Grenadine
    • Lemon

    See the printable recipe card below for full quantities.

    If using fresh grapefruit juice you may need to add a little more sweetness to the vodka and grapefruit cocktail since store-bought juice will already be sweetened for you. You can use simple syrup or add a touch more grenadine.

    Instructions

    Woman adding grapefruit juice to a cocktail shaker from a jigger.

    Step 1

    Add the grapefruit juice to a cocktail shaker.

    Woman adding vodka to a cocktail shaker at a counter.

    Step 2

    Add the vodka.

    Woman adding Triple Sec to a cocktail shaker from a jigger.

    Step 3

    Add the Triple Sec

    Woman adding fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker from a jigger at a counter.

    Step 4

    Add the fresh lemon juice.

    Step 5

    Add ice and shake well.

    Woman straining a cocktail from a shaker into a cocktail glass.

    Step 6

    Strain the grapefruit and vodka cocktail over fresh ice in a short cocktail glass.

    Woman adding grenadine to a short cocktail glass for a sunrise cocktail recipe.

    Step 7

    Add the grenadine to the glass. It will sink to the bottom giving it that gorgeous layered look.

    Hint: While traditionally you don’t stir a sunrise cocktail, I prefer to give it a gentle stir just before drinking to blend the flavors, but you will lose that color variation.

    Variations

    Make it Spicy

    You can add spice to just about any cocktail, even some that you don’t think make sense. Muddle jalapeno, serrano or another type of chile in the cocktail shaker before adding the rest of the ingredients then make as usual.

    You could also add a dash of cayenne pepper to the shaker or add a bit of spice to the rim of the glass.

    Make it a Mocktail

    If you want to serve this without alcohol you can. Leave out the vodka and Triple Sec. To your cocktail glass add ice, grapefruit juice and lemon juice. Top with a little club soda to give it a little more pizzazz then just juice, then add the grenadine.

    Add More Flavors

    • Try it with flavored vodka. Citrus, of course, is a great option, but you could also try vanilla or cake flavors
    • Muddle fresh fruits like blackberries or raspberries to add flavor and color.
    • Muddle fresh herbs like rosemary or basil to give a jolt of fresh flavor.

    Freeze it

    This is a delicious drink to turn into a frozen concoction. Blend it the vodka, Triple Sec, grapefruit juice and lemon juice in a blender with ice. Add the grenadine to your serving glass then top with the frozen mixture. So easy.

    Substitutions

    Don’t have Triple Sec? You can use any other kind of orange liqueur, like Cointreau, although that is a more expensive option. Or you can use orange juice instead.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What vodka should I use?

    You can use just about any vodka to make this grapefruit cocktail recipe. Here’s what I think the best vodka is for Moscow Mules, which will also work for this recipe.

    Pretty sunrise cocktail in a short cocktail glass on a wooden board on a table.

    Make this easy Grapefruit Sunrise recipe next time you are looking for something flavorful and refreshing to sip on!

    Make sure you don’t lose this recipe by saving it for later! Also, for more recipes make sure you’re following me on Pinterest, Instagram and like my page on Facebook. If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and tag me in your pictures!

    More easy grapefruit cocktails

    • 29 Grapefruit Juice Cocktails to Make at Home
    • Grapefruit Martini
    • Grapefruit Spritzer
    • Grapefruit Vodka Tonic
    • Grapefruit Hibiscus Cocktail
    Grapefruit sunrise cocktail with vodka in a cocktail glass with piece of grapefruit as a garnish on a wood tray.

    Grapefruit Sunrise Cocktail Recipe

    This quick and easy cocktail with grapefruit juice and vodka is refreshing and oh so pretty. Made in just minutes, this Grapefruit Sunrise recipe is perfect to sip any time of year.
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    Course: cocktails
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 cocktail
    Calories: 220kcal
    Author: Sharon Garofalow

    Equipment

    • cocktail shaker

    Ingredients

    • 1 oz vodka
    • 2 oz ruby red grapefruit juice
    • 1 oz Triple Sec (or other orange liqueur
    • ½ oz fresh lemon juice, squeezed
    • ½ oz grenadine

    Instructions

    • Add the grapefruit juice, vodka, lemon juice and Triple Sec to a cocktail shaker.
    • Add ice and shake well.
    • Strain into a short cocktail glass over fresh ice.
    • Add grenadine and enjoy.

    Notes

    Grenadine will settle to the bottom of the glass to give it a “sunrise” appearance. For the best taste, give the drink a gentle stir to combine flavors.
    If you don’t have Triple Sec, you can use another type of orange liqueur like Cointreau or substitute orange juice instead. 
    Browse variations you can make of this drink in the blog post.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1drink | Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CupcakesCutlery or tag #cupcakescutlery!

    More Classic Cocktail Recipes

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    • Coke and Rosé: A Real Housewife Twist on Kalimotxo
    • Refreshing Red Wine Spritzer Recipe

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    About Sharon Garofalow

    Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share ideas to make mom life easier and encourage busy gals to make time for themselves too! Sharon's "me" time often includes watching Hallmark Channel movies, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

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    Welcome!
    Based in Southern California, I am the mom to two amazing boys and married to the raddest man in all the land. Cupcakes and Cutlery is your resource for simple solutions to help you be an awesome wife and mother and not lose yourself in the process. Email me at [email protected]

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    Posts about wine, liquor and/or cocktail recipes are expressly for people 21 years of age and older. Drink responsibly.

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