• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Gin Cocktails
  • Vodka Cocktails
  • Tequila Cocktails
  • Rum Cocktails
  • Whiskey Cocktails
  • Brandy Cocktails
  • Shots
  • Mixed Drinks

Occasional Cocktails logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Drink Recipes
  • Cocktail eBook
  • Shots
  • Simple Syrup
  • About
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Drink Recipes
    • Cocktail eBook
    • Shots
    • Simple Syrup
    • About
  • ×
    Home » Whiskey Cocktails

    Sep 30, 2021 · Modified: Jun 8, 2023 by Kristin. This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Whiskey and Grapefruit Juice: Texas-Sized Taste

    Jump to Recipe

    Whiskey and grapefruit juice pair together very well. The smooth, smoky taste of your favorite whiskey or bourbon mixes with the tart citrus of grapefruit for a killer combination and distinct flavor profile.

    whiskey and grapefruit

    What is a Whiskey and Grapefruit?

    In it’s simplest form, whiskey and grapefruit juice is a very simple drink. It is exactly how it sounds; some whiskey, some grapefruit juice, throw on a lime wedge garnish and call it a day. What’s awesome about this drink is that the flavors compliment each other so well that this drink has spun off a ton of other very good cocktails.

    We’ll learn the recipe and a few variations in just a bit. Let’s first talk about where this drink came from.

    Now, this exact combination of just whiskey and grapefruit is not really known. It has probably been around as long as we’ve had whiskey and bourbon. However, this drink rose to popularity with the creation of a drink called a Brown Derby, named after a diner in Los Angeles called, you guessed it, The Brown Derby. The Brown Derby cocktail includes honey syrup. But it’s creation sparked an interest in the drink without the added sweetener.

    Fun fact: The Brown Derby Restaurant got it’s name because it was shaped like a brown derby hat.

    How to make this drink:

    Let’s start out with the simple 2 ingredient version of this drink and then move on to the more complicated variations, like the aforementioned, Brown Derby.

    whiskey and grapefruit

    Equipment

    highball glass

    Jigger

    Ingredients

    2 oz Whiskey or Bourbon

    4 oz Grapefruit Juice

    1 Lemon or Lime wedge garnish

    Step One

    Fill your highball glass with ice.

    Step Two

    Pour in 2 oz of whiskey or bourbon.

    Step Three

    Top off the glass with about 4 oz of grapefruit juice.

    Step Four

    Put a lime wedge on the glass to garnish and enjoy!

    Variations

    Down here you are going to find several modified versions of this cocktail.

    The Brown Derby

    We know you’re curious about this one after talking about it earlier. This drink is served in a martini glass and requires a cocktail shaker and a Hawthorne strainer.

    Fill your shaker with ice. Add in 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz of grapefruit juice, and between ½ and 1 oz of honey syrup, depending on how sweet you want it to be. Shake the shaker until the outside starts forming ice crystals. Then pour the drink into a martini glass through a Hawthorne strainer. Float a small grapefruit wheel as a garnish.

    Old Fashioned Bourbon and Whiskey

    This one is even easier than the Brown Derby. Just follow the main recipe above as written and add in a couple splashes of Angostura bitters.

    Pink Grapefruit Whiskey Sour

    This one follows the Whiskey Sour recipe. However, instead of using lemon juice, swap it out with grapefruit juice when making your sours mix. Easy peasy!

    Whiskey Grapefruit Sidecar

    This is another modification that can make a huge difference in taste. Make the whiskey and grapefruit juice cocktail as written above and just add in ½ of Triple Sec or Grand Marnier (or any orange liquor, really).

    The extra tasty part of this cocktail is the rimmed glass. We make this drink in a rocks glass and rim it using grapefruit juice around the edge of the glass and then dip it in a mixture of grapefruit zest and sugar.

    Ruby Smash

    Last but not least is the Ruby Smash. Mix everything in a highball glass. Pour in 2 oz bourbon, 1 ½ oz grapefruit juice, 2-3 oz of grapefruit schnapps, and another 2 oz of Ginger Beer. Serve over ice and enjoy!

    whiskey and grapefruit

    Recipe

    whiskey and grapefruit

    Whiskey and Grapefruit Juice

    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Mixing Time (up to) 5 minutes mins
    Course Drinks

    Equipment

    • highball glass
    • jigger
    • cocktail shaker (for Brown Derby)
    • Hawthorne strainer (for Brown Derby)
    • Martini Glass (for Brown Derby)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    Whiskey and Grapefruit Juice

    • 2 oz Whiskey or bourbon
    • 2 oz Grapefruit Juice
    • 1 Lemon or Lime wedge garnish

    Brown Derby

    • 2 oz Bourbon
    • 1 oz Grapefruit Juice
    • ½-1 oz honey syrup to taste
    • 1 Lime wedge garnish

    Whiskey and Grapefruit Old Fashioned

    • 2 oz Whiskey or bourbon
    • 4 oz Grapefruit Juice
    • 2 splashes Angostura bitters
    • 1 Lemon or Lime wedge garnish

    Pink Grapefruit Whiskey Sour

    • 2 oz Whiskey or bourbon
    • 1 oz Grapefruit Juice
    • 1 oz Simple syrup
    • 1 Lemon or Lime wedge garnish

    Whiskey Grapefruit Sidecar

    • 2 oz Whiskey or bourbon
    • 4 oz Grapefruit Juice
    • ½ oz Grand Marnier or Triple Sec any orange liquor will work
    • 1 Lemon or Lime wedge garnish

    Instructions
     

    Whiskey and Grapefruit Juice

    • Fill your highball glass with ice.
    • Pour in 2 oz of whiskey or bourbon.
    • Top off the glass with about 4 oz of grapefruit juice
    • Put a lime wedge on the glass to garnish and enjoy!

    Whiskey and Grapefruit Old Fashioned

    • Fill your highball glass with ice.
    • Pour in 2 oz of whiskey or bourbon.
    • Add in 2 splashes of Angostura bitters
    • Top off the glass with about 4 oz of grapefruit juice
    • Put a lime wedge on the glass to garnish and enjoy!

    Brown Derby

    • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
    • Pour in 2 oz of bourbon
    • Add in 1 oz of grapefruit juice
    • Add in ½ to1 oz of honey syrup
    • Shake until it ices over
    • Pour drink through Hawthorne strainer into Martini glass
    • Float thinly sliced, small grapefruit wheel as garnish
    • Enjoy!

    Pink Grapefruit Whiskey Sour

    • Fill your highball glass with ice.
    • Pour in 2 oz of whiskey or bourbon.
    • Add in ¾ oz simple syrup
    • Add in 1 oz of grapefruit juice
    • Put a skewer of maraschino cherries on top to garnish and enjoy!

    Ruby Smash

    • Fill your highball glass with ice.
    • Pour in 2 oz of whiskey or bourbon
    • Add in 1 ½ oz of grapefruit juice
    • Add in 2 to 3 oz of grapefruit schnapps
    • Top off the glass with about 2 oz of ginger beer
    • Put a lime wedge on the glass to garnish and enjoy!
    Subscribe for More!Join our newsletter for more drink recipes.

    Nutrition information provided is just an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

    For more great cocktails

    [pt_view id=”146b5bcwjk”]

    More Whiskey Cocktail Recipes

    • Four horseman shot with ingredient bottles in the background.
      15+ Whiskey Shots That Pack a Bold, Smooth Kick
    • Whiskey and sprite with a lemon wedge on a wooden table.
      15+ Summer Whiskey Cocktails That Are Surprisingly Refreshing
    • Irish coffee on a wooden table.
      9+ Irish Whiskey Cocktails That Are Smooth, Bold, and Unforgettable
    • Salty nuts shot on a wooden table with ingredients in the background.
      9+ Peanut Butter Whiskey That Are Sweet, Salty And Spirited

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hey there, we are Kristin & Justin! After Justin spent over a decade as a bartender, we decided to bring that mixology online so everyone can mix up the best drinks

    More about us →

    Popular Cocktails

    • Tequila and sprite in a highball with a lemon wedge on the rim.
      Tequila And Sprite: The Margarita On A Budget
    • whiskey and cream soda in a glass with a cherry garnish
      Whiskey and Cream Soda Recipe
    • brandy and coke
      Brandy And Coke: Very Special Brandy Cola Recipe
    • Close up of a blue motherfucker drink with maraschino cherries and lemon wedge.
      Blue Motherfucker Drink (AKA Adios Motherfucker)
    • french kiss shot with ingredient bottles in the background
      Fun and Inappropriate Dirty Drink Names
    • Close up of a vodka sprite in a highball glass with lemon wedge on the rim.
      Vodka And Sprite

    NYE + Dry January Favorites

    • Hairy buffalo drink on a wooden table.
      10+ Big Batch Cocktails For Large Gatherings
    • Closeup of eggnog martini with ingredients in background.
      10+ Creamy Eggnog Cocktails
    • Champagne drinks in a grid - french 75, pornstar martini, blushing bride, thug passion.
      10+ Easy Champagne Cocktails for Celebrations
    • grid of - boozy hot chocolate, spanish coffee vampires kiss and tequila boom new years eve drinks.
      20+ New Year’s Eve Cocktails to Ring in the Year

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Join us!

    • Join our newsletter and get a FREE cocktail making cheat sheet.

    Contact

    • About

    Please drink responsibly.  Follow all local/federal alcohol laws.  We are not advocating underage or irresponsible drinking of any kind.

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 MrAnimal Media LLC

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required