This delicious Grapefruit Margarita recipe is similar to a Paloma only it's made without soda so it's not watered down. Mexico's favorite tequila cocktail just got even better!

A grapefruit margarita with a slice of grapefruit and ice in a glass on a blue table

It's margarita time! Again. I've got my fingers crossed that you love a good margarita as much as I do. This is the fifth margarita recipe I've shared with you and it wouldn't take much convincing to send me back to the kitchen to create more versions of our fav tequila cocktail.

This grapefruit margarita is all things summery, light, and refreshing. Sweet pink grapefruit juice and tequila are meant for each other. The grapefruit tones down the flavor of the tequila, which is great if you're serving these to friends who are on the fence about tequila. You might win some converts!

The Grapefruit Margarita Party

  • You don't actually need to throw a real party, but life will feel like a party with one of these in your hand. Hello, happy!
  • Pink grapefruit juice and that sweet/ tart combo make it irresistible. I squeezed mine by hand (cause I'm a total nerd) but you could easily buy it from the store. Just make sure you don't buy a bottle with sugar added to it.
  • Tequila. I must be part Mexican because my love for tequila is strong. Also good to note: many paleo gurus recommend drinking tequila (in moderation) if you want to have a drink. Bring on the paleo margaritas!
  • I've made this recipe both with honey simple syrup and agave simple syrup. Both are unrefined sweeteners and generally considered a healthier alternative to white sugar. I'm certain this means grapefruit margaritas are healthy. (wink wink)

Pouring a grapefruit margarita into a glass filled with ice and a slice of grapefruit with another glass in the background

The first time I shared this grapefruit margarita recipe with you was back in 2012. I've made it several times since and (I think) perfected the recipe. I originally made it without lime juice. When I was recipe testing we found we liked the version with a combination of lime and grapefruit juice better.

Sidebar: I sometimes have to give my head a shake when I realize my job involves taste-testing margaritas. Seriously, how awesome is that? And thank you for reading my blog so that I can keep testing margaritas for a living!

I also decided to swap the traditional simple syrup for either honey or agave simple syrup. The honey version lets the grapefruit flavor win while the agave version is a great choice if you're serving this to someone who is vegan.

Slices of pink grapefruit ready to go into a grapefruit margarita sitting on a blue background

Looking down on two grapefruit margaritas with a large ice cube and slices of grapefruit in the glasses and more slices of grapefruit off to the side

Original post date: May 18th, 2012

I could almost believe it was summer today, feeling the sun pour in my windows and warming me up. That was until I went outside. This time of year always feels like a tease. It is so close to summer that I want to take out my summer dresses, put on my sandals, and leave my jacket at the door. Of course, if I actually did that I would freeze to death.

Last week for Cocktail Fridays I did my best to encourage summer to hurry up with this Strawberry Basil Mojito. The sun's been shining all week, so maybe it worked. Fingers are crossed that all she needs is another sunny summer cocktail, and she'll stick around till October.

I have a bit of an obsession with grapefruit; I eat one almost every morning. I also have a bit of an obsession with margaritas. No, I don't drink one almost every morning. Perhaps I should; they're delicious. Grapefruit margaritas are super similar to a regular margarita only they replace the lime with grapefruit. Hello, delicious cocktails!

Two glasses of grapefruit margarita with slices of grapefruit and ice in glasses on a blue table

The Best Margarita Recipes:

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A grapefruit margarita with a slice of grapefruit and ice in a glass on a blue table

Delicious Grapefruit Margarita

  • Author: Kristen Stevens
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 0 mins
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 margarita 1x
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: Mexican

★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews
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Description

This delicious Grapefruit Margarita recipe is similar to a Paloma only it's made without soda so it's not watered down. Mexico's favorite tequila cocktail just got even better!

Scale

Ingredients

  • Sea salt, to rim the glass
  • 2-ounces white tequila
  • 1-ounce grapefruit juice
  • 1-ounce lime juice
  • 1-ounce agave or honey simple syrup (recipe below)
  • Slices of grapefruit to garnish

Simple Syrup

  • 1/4 cup agave syrup or honey
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

Grapefruit Margarita

  1. Wet the rim of a glass with a cut piece of grapefruit or lime. Pour some salt on a plate and dip the wet rim into the salt. Fill the glass with ice.
  2. Fill a cocktail shaker or mason jar with ice then add the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake until cold then strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with slices of grapefruit.

Simple Syrup

  • Add the agave or honey and the water to a small pan over high heat. Stir until the agave or honey dissolves – you don't need to let it come to a boil. Store the extra in a jar in your fridge for up to a month.

Notes

Make a pitcher of grapefruit margaritas by using cups instead of ounces: 2 cups tequila, 1 cup grapefruit juice, 1 cup lime juice, and 1 cup of simple syrup. Add the ingredients to a pitcher filled with ice and slices of grapefruit and stir.