Tart and Sweet Grapefruit Sunrise Recipe with Vodka
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 grapefruit cocktail to share with a few friends at home or for a party.
A Vodka Grapefruit Cocktail You’ll Love
A Grapefruit Sunrise with vodka 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! It’s sure to be one of your new favorite grapefruit cocktails.
Ingredients
- 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.
How to Make a Sunrise with Grapefruit Juice
Step 1
Add the grapefruit juice to a cocktail shaker.
Step 2
Add the vodka.
Step 3
Add the Triple Sec.
Step 4
Add the fresh lemon juice.
Step 5
Add ice and shake well.
Step 6
Strain the grapefruit and vodka cocktail over fresh ice in a short cocktail glass.
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
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.
Make this easy Grapefruit Sunrise recipe next time you are looking for something flavorful and refreshing to sip on!
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More easy grapefruit cocktails
- 29 Grapefruit Juice Cocktails to Make at Home
- Grapefruit Martini
- Grapefruit Spritzer
- Grapefruit Vodka Tonic
- Grapefruit Hibiscus Cocktail
- Grapefruit Basil Gin Cocktail
Grapefruit Sunrise Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 oz vodka
- 2 oz ruby red grapefruit juice
- 1 oz Triple Sec (or other orange liqueur
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, squeezed
- 1/2 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.
A little tart but I like it!