Honey Grapefruit Martini

A refreshing lively cocktail that takes you from winter to spring. This honey grapefruit martini is made with vodka, grapefruit juice, tangerine juice, and honey syrup.

I’m trying something new.  I usually stick to whiskey when making mixed drinks- but I today I’m experimenting with vodka.

‘Tis the season for citrus fruits, so I’m using fresh grapefruit and tangerine juice.  

This is a refreshing and lively cocktail that can take you from winter to spring.  

Since grapefruit is often tart and bitter- I’ve balanced it with the sweetness of the honey simple syrup and a kick of vibrance from the tangerine juice.

Grapefruit Vodka Martini

A traditional martini is made with gin and dry Vermouth. Over the years, the term “martini” has come to encompass a wide range of cocktails.

This grapefruit martini may be made with your choice of vodka or gin.

Be sure to serve it in a martini glass or coupe glass!

Recommended Bar Tools

• Boston Shaker and Strainer
• Cocktail Measuring Jigger or Mini Measure Shot Glass: The key to excellent well balance cocktails is proper measurements! Don’t eyeball it. Take the time to measure out the liquid ingredients.
• Peeler: I like this y-peeler for peeling citrus garnish. The blade is easily replaceable.
• Citrus Juicer: Fresh squeeze juices make cocktails a hundred times tastier. Stay away from bottled juices or juice from concentrate. Squeeze fresh juice yourself!

Liquor Options and Ingredient Substitutes

Vodka: This grapefruit martini recipe can me made with either vodka or gin. Recommended vodkas include: Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Absolut Vodka.

Try Absolt Grapefruit Vodka if you really want to intensify the grapefruit notes!

Recommended gins include: Hendrick’s Gin, Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin, and Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin.

Liqueur: Use your choice of orange liqueur. I recommend Grand Marnier or Cointreau.

Fruit Juices: This recipe uses a combination of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and tangerine juice. If you cannot find tangerine juice, substitute in orange juice.

Tangerine or orange juice adds sweetness to balance the often bitter notes of grapefruit juice. If you prefer less sweetness, use all grapefruit juice!

Let’s Shake Up a Martini!

Gather the ingredients needed:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz Grand Mariner liqueur
• 1 1/2 Tbsp honey simple syrup
• 3 oz fresh grapefruit juice
• 1 oz fresh tangerine juice
• ice, as needed
• grapefruit peel, for garnish

Add all the ingredients to Boston shaker cup: vodka, orange liqueur, and juices and honey simple syrup.

Add ice cubes to shaker cup. Cover shaker and shake to chill drink.  

Use cocktail strainer to pour chilled cocktail into martini glass.  Garnish with grapefruit peel and basil leaf, if desired.

CHEERS!

More Vodka Based Cocktail Recipes

• Sparkling Limoncello Vodka
• Spiced Vodka Punch
• Rosemary Blackberry Limonata
• Bloody Mary Cocktail