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    Home » Drinks » Vodka

    Updated: Jun 9, 2025 · Published: Dec 30, 2021 by Lisa · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Grapefruit Martini

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Simple, refreshing, and full of citrus flavor, this Grapefruit Martini is the perfect way to take the doldrums out of any winter day! You don't need a special occasion to serve a fun cocktail. This Grapefruit Martini is great any night of the week!

    A close up of a grapefruit martini being poured from a shaker.

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    It used to be that martinis were only for special occasions, but not anymore. It's always a great time to shake up a fun cocktail, especially when it's this easy Grapefruit Martini.

    This drink is beautiful, packed with fresh citrus flavor, and easy to make...so get your cocktail shaker ready!

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this martini
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Expert Tips for the Best Martinis
    • More Citrus Cocktails
    • Recipe

    Why you'll love this martini

    ▶︎ It's easy to make one or a batch! I love martinis that lend themselves to be made as a single serving or easily multiplied to be served as a batch cocktail when you are hosting friends.

    ▶︎ It uses easy-to-find ingredients. No special stuff here; many of these ingredients are already in your well-stocked home bar.

    ▶︎ It's versatile! I love to make this drink with vodka but you can easily swap out the vodka and replace it with gin!

    A glass of Grapefruit Martini.

    Ingredients

    You only need a handful of ingredients for this Grapefruit Martini!

    Bottles of vodka, cointreau, simple syrup, cranberry juice and a grapefruit.

    Ingredient Notes:

    • Vodka - Not a vodka drinker? You can easily swap gin in its place. 
    • Cranberry juice cocktail - This sweetened cranberry juice is my go-to for most cocktails as it gives the best cranberry flavor
    • Orange Liqueur - Cointreau is my favorite for this martini but you can easily use triple sec or Grand Marnier if you prefer.
    • Simple Syrup is basically sugar water. You can certainly buy a bottle of it at the liquor store, but making simple syrup at home is super easy (and waaaaaay less expensive).
    • Grapefruit Juice - Fresh is best but bottled will do in a pinch.

    Instructions

    Hand pouring liquor into crystal cocktail shaker.

    Fill a shaker half full with ice and add the vodka, orange liqueur and grapefruit juice.

    Hand pouring cranberry juice into crystal cocktail shaker.

    Next, add your cranberry juice and simple syrup.

    Hand pouring pink cocktail from shaker into coupe glass.

    Seal the shaker and shake for at least 30 seconds before straining contents into a glass. Martinis are best cold!

    FAQs

    What is the best cranberry juice for cocktails?

    The bottles and bottles of cranberry juice at the store can be intimidating. I prefer cranberry juice cocktail for this drink but let's break down the most common options:
    ➤ Cranberry Juice Cocktail is made with only cranberries and sugar. It has the sweet-tart taste we're most familiar with.
    ➤ Cranberry Juice (labeled 100% juice) is often not 100% cranberry juice but rather a blend of several fruit juices like apple, pear, grape and cranberry. The juice blend helps offset the natural tartness of the cranberries but it does change the flavor a bit, too.
    ➤ Unsweetened Cranberry Juice is just that - pure, tart cranberry juice. Prepare to pucker up.

    What is the difference between orange liqueurs?

    They are all orange liqueurs but all have a different flavor profile, alcohol content, and price.
    ➤Triple Sec is a drier style of orange liqueur with a lower alcohol content than Cointreau or Grand Marnier. It's versatile and adds orange flavor and sweetness without the hefty price tag. You can pick up a bottle of triple sec for anywhere from $5.99- $15.99
    ➤Cointreau has a crisp smooth orange flavor and can be served on the rocks or mixed in cocktails. Its alcohol content is 80 proof and is about $25 a bottle
    ➤Grand Marnier is a mix of brandy, orange essence, and sugar. It's very smooth and drinkable but will change the flavor of a drink especially since it has brandy in it. We love to add it to our margaritas for special occasions. But be careful, it packs some punch at 80 proof and is around $30 a bottle.

    2 pink martinis with a shaker in the background on a white surface.

    Expert Tips for the Best Martinis

    ✘ Fresh juice is always best in cocktails. Save the bottled juice for another use.

    ✘ Use a higher quality of vodka for a martini than you would for a Cape Cod Drink since there isn't as much mixer in this cocktail.

    ✘ Shake your martini over ice for at least 30 seconds before serving. Cold martinis are the best martinis.

    ✘ Don't forget the garnish! An orange twist or grapefruit twist is the perfect garnish for this cocktail.

    Close up of pink grapefruit martini in a tall coupe glass with an orange peel for a garnish.

    More Citrus Cocktails

    Here are some more of our favorite citrus cocktails. Need more ideas? Check out all of our cocktail recipes!

    • Orange juice brunch cocktail in an ice-filled glass with cherries and orange slices.
      Amaretto Stone Sour
    • Short salt rimmed glasses filled with margaritas. Blood oranges for garnish.
      Blood Orange Margaritas
    • Grapefruit Margarita in a chili rimmed lowball glass.
      Spicy Grapefruit Margarita
    • low ball glass with salted rim filled with drink and grapefruit wedge with pitcher behind it.
      Grapefruit Aperol Cocktails
    
    
    Did you make this recipe? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 
    
    Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback helps us and your fellow readers! 
    
    
    

    Recipe

    Ruby Red Grapefruit Martini

    Garnish With Lemon
    This light and refreshing Ruby Red Grapefruit martini can be made with gin or vodka.
    4.60 from 30 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Vodka
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 282 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Mini Measuring Beaker Set
    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Martini Glass

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ ounces gin or vodka
    • ¾ ounce Orange Liqueur
    • 1 ounce cranberry juice
    • 1 ounce ruby red grapefruit juice
    • ¼ ounce simple syrup

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    Instructions
     

    • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add all ingredients to shaker.
      1 ½ ounces gin or vodka, ¾ ounce Orange Liqueur, 1 ounce cranberry juice, 1 ounce ruby red grapefruit juice, ¼ ounce simple syrup
    • Shake and serve straight up in a martini glass.
    • Garnish with an orange peel.

    Notes

    Ingredient Notes:
    Liquor- Not a vodka drinker? You can easily swap gin in its place. 
    Cranberry juice cocktail - This sweetened cranberry juice is my go-to for most cocktails as it gives the best cranberry flavor
    Orange Liqueur- Cointreau is my favorite for this martini but you can easily use triple sec or Grand Marnier if you prefer.
    Simple Syrup is basically sugar water. You can certainly buy a bottle of it at the liquor store, but making simple syrup at home is super easy (and waaaaaay less expensive).
    Grapefruit Juice- Fresh is best but bottled will do in a pinch.

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4.5ouncesCalories: 282kcalCarbohydrates: 15gSodium: 3mgSugar: 12g

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!
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    About Lisa

    Hi, I’m Lisa! Looking for the party? It’s probably at my house. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing good food with friends and family. That and a seriously good cocktail.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Paula says

      May 03, 2019 at 4:51 pm

      Delicious!!

      Reply
      • Kim says

        June 12, 2022 at 7:36 pm

        Thanks for this wonderful cocktail! S

        Reply
    4.60 from 30 votes (30 ratings without comment)

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