Light and refreshing Grapefruit Crush recipe using only 4 ingredients for an easy grapefruit cocktail! Just like an orange crush, but made with grapefruit juice. Easy to make and like you are sipping one at the bars on the Delaware Beaches but for a lot cheaper at home!
Happy birthday to me and we are celebrating with this grapefruit crush recipe!
Summer is winding down, but it’s still hot as heck out some days, and a refreshing cocktail can hit the spot, especially when you are at the beach like me. Couldn’t be a better combo than that if you ask me!
We’ve spent the last month on the east coast at the Delaware beaches with my family and whenever I’m here, the alcohol is flowing. While I don’t drink like I used to, I still enjoy it from time to time and love a good mixed drink. And whenever I’m in Delaware, crushes are definitely one of the things to drink, especially in Dewey Beach!
Delaware beaches are known for their orange crush, but I am changing things up making a grapefruit crush. I have always been a huge fan of grapefruit – it’s tangy, a little sweet and sour, and so refreshing!
While I love sipping on one out and about in Dewey (The Starboard anyone?), they are super easy to make at home, and of course a lot cheaper! I also love that you can make them just how you want it.
Usually, at the bars, they will add soda to them to help sweeten them up, which I don’t find necessary. And you can make them as strong as you want 😜
This recipe only calls for fresh juice, vodka, triple sec, and sparkling water. A perfect way to relax and enjoy yourself or celebrate like me!
Grapefruit crush recipe
A healthier grapefruit cocktail made with only 4 ingredients! Light and refreshing and makes the perfect easy drink to whip together when you want to enjoy yourself and still keep in mind your health and wellness goals (if you have any!).
Here is what you need:
- grapefruit juice – freshly squeezed preferred, or you can use store-bought
- vodka
- triple sec
- sparkling water – grapefruit-flavored if you can, but lemon or lime work just as well!
First, if using freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, squeeze your grapefruits. You can either just use a citrus reamer (like I did) or a juicer if you have one. You need 2 medium to large grapefruits for 2 drinks.
Once that is squeezed, add it to a shaker with cubed ice. Then add your vodka and triple sec. Shake well to combine and slightly chill. Evenly distribute it into two tumbler/rocks glasses with ice. Finally, top it off with a little sparkling water. I used about 1/8-1/4 cup in each, but you can add to your liking.
Garnish with some grapefruit wedges and enjoy!
Fresh-squeezed vs store-bought juice
When crushes are made at the bars in Delaware, they always use fresh-squeezed juice (they usually squeeze it right in front of you in a citrus press!), and I personally think it makes all the difference. I find fresh-squeezed juice is more flavorful, it isn’t as sour (especially when buying grapefruit juice), is all-natural, and contains more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants since it isn’t processed. If you have had fresh-squeezed, it honestly just tastes better!
That being said, if you don’t have fresh-squeezed, you can always use bottled. Look for a kind that is just 100% juice without any sweeteners or weird preservatives. I find that bottled juice can be a little bit tangier, so you may need a little more triple sec or sweetener.
Substitutions for grapefruit crush
Grapefruit crushes easily be changed or adapted to fit any tastes or preferences. Here are a few substitutions to change it up:
- grapefruit juice – if you aren’t the biggest fan of grapefruit juice, you can use orange juice instead (aka an orange crush).
- vodka – I used a plain vodka in this grapefruit crush recipe as I don’t like my drinks too sweet. They can and sometimes are made with grapefruit-flavored vodka (Deep Eddy is delicious), so if you want a little more sweetness or grapefruit flavor, feel free to use that.
- triple sec liqueur – this is mostly there to give it a little sweetness. If you don’t have triple sec at home and you don’t mind adding more alcohol, you can substitute it for Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or Curacao. If you don’t want more alcohol, you could use simple syrup or a little honey.
- sparkling water – I used grapefruit sparkling water, but you can also use lemon or lime flavored. You can use club soda or seltzer instead of sparkling water too.
More healthy cocktails
Grapefruit Crush
ingredients
- 1 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice *
- 4 ounces vodka (I used Tito's)
- 1 ounce triple sec liqueur **
- 1/2 cup sparkling water (I used grapefruit-flavored)
instructions
- If using freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, squeeze your grapefruits. You can either just use a citrus reamer (like I did) or a juicer if you have one. Add juice to a shaker with ice, vodka, and the triple sec. Shake well to combined and slightly chilled.
- Fill two tumbler/rocks glasses with ice and evenly distribute the grapefruit mix. Top it off with a little sparkling water. I used about 1/8-1/4 cup in each, but you can add to your liking. Garnish with some grapefruit wedges and enjoy!
notes
nutrition
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Nancy says
This is an excellent recipe. (I used grapefruit flavored vodka.)
So refreshing. Perfect quantities!
Kelly says
So happy to hear it! Grapefruit vodka sounds delicious too. Thanks for trying it Nancy!