This grapefruit and gin cocktail is a twist on a classic. Made with grapefruit syrup, this grapefruit negroni retains the signature bitter-sweet taste of the original cocktail whilst including a zingy citrus burst. It's a delicious twist.
Another twist on the classic negroni is the Negroni sour cocktail.
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Why I Love This Grapefruit Gin Cocktail
- Classic bittersweet flavour
- Citrussy
- Fresh
- A well-thought out twist on the classic
The classic mix of Campari, gin and sweet Vermouth manages to be bitter and dry with just a hint of underlying sweetness. This means that any tinkering with the base recipe has to be well thought out to retain that signature bitter-sweet balance.
Adding straight grapefruit juice to this blend would upset this fine balance, leading to an overly sharp mistake. Conversely, using a grapefruit syrup that is too sweet would also upskittle the balance.
I really wanted the sharp citrus flavour to shine through in this Grapefruit Negroni without making it too sweet, so I created a grapefruit syrup with less sugar than that of a typical simple syrup.
The result is a gin, Campari and grapefruit cocktail with the same bitter-sweet qualities as the original negroni, but with a little more citrus attitude. Jackpot.
I'm always on the lookout for twists on the classic Negroni cocktail since it's my all-time favourite cocktail. So far I've come up with a spiced Negroni, a gin and elderflower cocktail called Dear Jane, a white Negroni and an Aperol Negroni.
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Ingredients Notes
Campari: Part of the Italian bitters collection of liqueurs, Campari is a bright red aperitif with bold bitter-sweet flavour. It's the foundation of the negroni cocktail.
Gin: Any gin with citrus or herbal notes are particularly welcome but avoid flavoured gins. You can't go wrong with Tanqueray No. 10.
Vermouth: You'll need red vermouth (sweet vermouth) for this cocktail. In the classic cocktail this aperitif adds all the sweetness. However, in this grapefruit and gin cocktail the quantity used is reduced to take account of the grapefruit syrup.
Grapefruit syrup: I strongly advise following my recipe for grapefruit syrup as it has been devised with this grapefruit gin cocktail in mind. It has less sugar included than a typical store-bought syrup is likely to contain. In addition, you can customise it with additional flavours (such as herbs) to truly make this grapefruit negroni your own.
How To Make A Grapefruit Gin Cocktail (Step-By-Step Instructions)
- Step 1: Put a handful of ice into a cocktail jug and pour in the Campari, gin, red vermouth and grapefruit syrup.
- Step 2: Stir briskly for 30 seconds to chill & dilute the drink and ensure the syrup is fully blended.
- Step 3: Strain the drink into a tumbler (half filled with ice) and garnish with a twist of grapefruit. A sprig of fresh rosemary is a great optional addition.
Expert Tips
- For best results use my recipe for grapefruit syrup: Commercial syrups can be very sweet. My syrup was created with this exact cocktail in mind (it's very easy to make).
- Stir well: Never under-estimate the power of a lengthy stir when making cocktails. It is vital to achieve the right level of dilution (& chill) to enjoy the drink at its best.
- Serve over plenty of ice: This Campari and grapefruit cocktail should be served deliciously chilled over ample of ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can. My preference is to batch measure ingredients into a jug and then stir with the ice at the point of serving to ensure the drink is served ice-cold. However, you can also prepare the drink fully in advance and decant the strained liquid into a bottle, store it in the fridge and pour over ice when ready. It won't be quite as cold like this, but it will suffice.
Yes, you can. Any clear sprite such as vodka, tequila, whate rum or mezcal works well here.
This is not a suitable substitution. Grapefruit juice is sharper and less sweet than grapefruit syrup. This grapefruit Campari cocktail has been created to ensure the bittersweet character of the classic negroni cocktail remains intact. Using grapefruit juice would not render the same result.
Variations
Herbs: To add a little extra interest to this grapefruit syrup cocktail you can introduce a tiny hint of rosemary. Include a sprig of fresh rosemary when making the syrup and a fresh sprig to garnish the drink. Alongside a generous curl of grapefruit rind the aroma of the cocktail is lifted wonderfully.
Alternatively, use a large sprig of fresh thyme or a few basil leaves to add herbaceous undertones to your syrup and the resulting grapefruit and gin cocktail.
Aperol: Not so keen on Campari? Switch it for Aperol, which is slightly less bitter and will partner with the grapefruit and gin nicely too.
More bittersweet cocktails
Have you made this grapefruit syrup cocktail? Please let me know how you got along by leaving a comment or rating below. I always love to hear from my readers.
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📖 Recipe
Grapefruit & Gin Cocktail (Grapefruit Negroni)
Ingredients
- 30 ml Campari
- 30 ml Gin
- 15 ml Red Vermouth
- 15 ml Grapefruit Syrup
- 1 twist Grapefruit peel
- 1 Small sprig rosemary
Instructions
- Pour the liquid ingredients into a cocktail jug filled with ice and stir together for 30 seconds.
- Strain into a tumbler half filled with ice.
- Put the rosemary in the palm of one hand and clap the other hand down on top of it - this helps release the aroma.
- Garnish with the rosemary and a twist of grapefruit peel.
Notes
- For best results use my recipe for grapefruit syrup: Commercial syrups can be very sweet. My syrup was created with this exact cocktail in mind (it's very easy to make).
- Stir well: Never under-estimate the power of a lengthy stir when making cocktails. It is vital to achieve the right level of dilution (& chill) to enjoy the drink at its best.
- Serve over plenty of ice: This Campari and grapefruit cocktail should be served deliciously chilled over ample of ice.
- Swap the spirit: Any clear sprite such as vodka, tequila, whate rum or mezcal works well here.
Jo says
It's because we drink a fair few cocktails on holiday....and wine!
Susan Cuevas says
This looks delicious!!
I love herb accents in cocktails
I wonder how it would taste if you added some mint leaves instead of rosemary.
This is lovely 🙂
Jane Saunders says
Thanks Susan and I think mint would a great idea too. I might just have to try that idea out before too long.
Sues says
That grapefruit rosemary syrup!! I'm obsessed with all things grapefruit, so I'm totally in love with this. Not to mention, it's gorgeous!
Jane Saunders says
Ah, then you should enjoy this. I'm sure you would enjoy the syrup with a little lemonade too for a non-alcoholic drink.
Rebecca Hubbell says
The grapefruit and rosemary twist is such a refreshing one, loving this delicious cocktail!
Jane Saunders says
Thanks Rebecca 🙂