Skip to main content

Grapefruit Gimlet

The Grapefruit Gimlet (see photo) came as an inspiration upon tasting Charbay ruby red grapefruit vodka. Unlike other flavored vodkas, this producer actually uses real fruit in a natural process of infusion. Charbay pays Texas ruby red grapefruit growers premium prices to leave the fruit on the tree until they are overripe. Then they are shipped to California, where father-and-son distillers Miles and Marko Karakasevic grind the whole fruits—skins, pulp, and juice—then let them sit in alcohol for six months to extract the real fruit flavor. This essence is then strained and added to clear vodka. The result of this infusion is unlike any other flavored vodka. The beauty of our Grapefruit Gimlet is that it consists of only three ingredients: Charbay grapefruit vodka, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar. This recipe is very simple to make and really accentuates the grapefruit vodka. Make it and taste it and you’ll feel like you’ve just bitten into a sweet, ripe ruby red grapefruit through the skin. It’s refreshing and full flavored, and it begs for another sip.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 1 drink

Ingredients

2 ounces Charbay ruby red grapefruit vodka
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
3/4 ounce agave nectar
1 ruby red grapefruit quarter-wheel, for garnish

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Pour the vodka, juice, and nectar into a mixing glass. Add large cold ice cubes and shake vigorously for a few seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over large cold ice cubes and garnish with the grapefruit wheel.

  2. tasting notes

    Step 2

    Dominant Flavors: full mouth of grapefruit

    Step 3

    Body: medium, like biting into a grapefruit rind

    Step 4

    Dryness: dry to medium

    Step 5

    Complexity: low, straightforward flavor

    Step 6

    Accentuating or Contrasting Flavors: honeyed agave

    Step 7

    Finish: medium, with grapefruit oil overtones

  3. Step 8

    Glass: rocks

Cover of Speakeasy by Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric featuring a coupe glass with a brown cocktail and lemon wheel garnish.
Reprinted with permission from Speakeasy: The Employees Only Guide to Classic Cocktails Reimagined by Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric, © 2010 Ten Speed Press. Buy the full book from Amazon or Bookshop.
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
Saucy, soy-honey salmon—cut into cubes to speed up the cooking process—makes a savory topping for a quick weeknight bowl.
These decadent brownies feature a sweet, minty topping complemented by a rich dark chocolate ganache and mini chocolate chips for added texture.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
This summery sheet-pan dinner celebrates the bounty of the season and couldn't be simpler to make. Chorizo plays nicely with the salad, thanks to its spice.
Juicy peak-season tomatoes make the perfect plant-based swap for aguachile.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Who says ground chicken is boring? Two whole bunches of mint and some aromatics give these chicken meatballs their bracingly herby flavor.