When I’m craving something bright and refreshing, I usually end up making a Grapefruit Gin Collins. This cocktail blends gin, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and soda water for a crisp, citrusy vibe.

It’s a breeze to put together, honestly, and just as good for a party as it is for some quiet downtime at home. The tartness of grapefruit seems to play so well with the botanicals in gin—kind of a perfect match.

The soda water keeps things light and lively. Simple syrup brings just enough sweetness to round everything out.

If you’re into easy, tasty cocktails, this one deserves a spot on your list. It’s a real crowd-pleaser, at least in my experience.

Grapefruit Gin Collins Cocktail Recipe

I like to use fresh juice, classic gin, and a few basic tools for this drink. The ingredients are easy to find, and it takes maybe five minutes, tops, to throw together.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

Cocktail shaker

Jigger
Bar spoon
Citrus juicer or reamer

Fine-mesh strainer
Highball glass
Paring knife

Cutting Board

Ingredients

2 ounces gin
2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice

1 ounce simple syrup
1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
Club soda to top

Ice cubes
Grapefruit or lemon slices for garnish

Instructions

First, I fill my cocktail shaker with ice. Then, in goes the gin, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

I shake it hard—about 15 seconds—so everything’s chilled and mixed. Next, I strain the mix into a highball glass packed with fresh ice.
Now I top it off with club soda, pouring gently so I don’t lose all the fizz. A quick, gentle stir with a bar spoon just brings it together.
Finally, I pop a slice of grapefruit or lemon on top for garnish. And that’s it—the drink’s ready.

Notes

I usually tweak the sweetness, depending on how tart the grapefruit is that day. Sometimes I’ll add a splash more grapefruit or lemon juice if I want a bigger citrus kick.

For a lighter version, I’ll use diet club soda and cut back on the simple syrup. If I can’t find fresh grapefruit, bottled juice will work in a pinch, though the flavor’s a little softer.

I like to serve this right after mixing to keep it extra bubbly and cold. Swapping out the gin can change the flavor in subtle ways, so I play around with different brands now and then.

Must Have Ingredients

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Tasting Notes

The first thing I pick up is this fresh, bright aroma—grapefruit leads, but there’s a whiff of pine from the gin, too. There’s a bit of citrus zest in there that really invites you in.

The flavor hits crisp. Grapefruit brings a gentle bitterness, balanced out by the lemon’s tang and the syrup’s sweetness. The gin’s herbal notes are there, but nothing overpowering—just a good blend with the fruit.

Texture and Mouthfeel:

Light and bubbly
Smooth with a gentle fizz

No syrupy or sticky feeling

The finish is clean. My mouth feels refreshed, and none of the flavors hang around too long.

Substitute

Sometimes I want to make a Grapefruit Gin Collins, but I just don’t have all the ingredients on hand. There are easy swaps I use that don’t change the drink too much, though—at least not in a bad way.

Gin:
If I run out of gin, I’ll grab vodka for a lighter taste. I’ve even tried tequila once or twice for a totally different twist, and honestly, it’s not half bad.

Grapefruit Juice:
No grapefruit juice? I’ll go for fresh orange or lemon juice. These keep the drink tart, but yeah, the flavor shifts a bit.

Simple Syrup:
Sometimes I use honey syrup or agave instead of simple syrup. Both dissolve well and sweeten the drink, so it’s not a big deal.

If I don’t have club soda, I’ll just use sparkling water. Both give the cocktail fizz, but sparkling water is a bit less salty and honestly, I kind of prefer it.

For a sugar-free version, I’ll use a calorie-free sweetener in place of regular syrup. It helps cut down on sugar without losing the taste, at least for me.

Grapefruit Gin Collins Cocktail Recipe