This grapefruit margarita is refreshing, a little tart, and slightly sweet. It's perfect for summer and only takes minutes to make!
Salt and sour flavors join to create the most refreshing and tangy beverage! If you're a fan of the classic margarita, you'll enjoy adding grapefruit to the mix.
The key to making the best grapefruit margarita comes down to fresh ingredients and a good-quality tequila. While you can use bottled grapefruit juice, I recommend grabbing a fresh grapefruit on your next trip to grocery store. It's absolutely worth it!
What you'll need
Detailed ingredient measurements, instructions, and notes can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page, but here’s is a quick summary:
- Tequila: Use a high-quality silver or blanco tequila for margaritas. However, you can also use gold or reposado tequila as well.
- Cointreau: I prefer Cointreau as it creates the best flavor, but you can use any other good-quality orange liqueur. Some other options include Grand Marnier or a Triple Sec, but those can have a harsher flavor.
- Grapefruit juice: Use fresh grapefruit juice for best results. The recipe calls for one whole grapefruit, juiced, but you can also use store-bought juice.
- Lime juice: Use fresh lime juice. Adjust the amount based on how sour you prefer your drink.
- Coarse salt: To rim the glass. Not only does it look appealing, but the salt also naturally enhances the flavors in the drink. If you're not a fan of salt, you can also use sugar or skip it altogether!
- Ice: Either cubes of ice or you can also crush your ice in your blender!
How to make a classic margarita
1. Rim glass with salt: Pour salt on a small rimmed plate. Run a lime wedge around the edge of your glasses and then dip into salt.
2. Mix ingredients in a shaker: Combine the grapefruit juice, lime juice, Cointreau, tequila, and a few cubes of ice in a shaker (*see note if you don’t have a shaker). Shake until well combined.
3. Garnish (optional) and serve: Fill the glass with ice. Using a strainer, pour the mixture into the glass. Garnish with a slice of lime and serve immediately.
Tips to make the best grapefruit margarita
- To juice the fruit: Use a simple wood reamer or fork to juice the lime. If you don't have a citrus juicer for the grapefruit, the wood reamer works just as well! Setting a strainer on top of your glass will prevent the seeds from making their way into your drink!
- If you don’t have a shaker: Use a mason jar and a strainer by combining ingredients in the mason jar, closing the lid, and shaking until well combined. Pour through a strainer into the glass.
- Use high-quality ingredients: Your drink is going to be as good as your ingredients.
- Fresh grapefruit and lime juice: Squeeze your grapefruit and lime juice right before making your drink for the best flavor.
What to serve with margaritas
- Chips and salsa or guacamole (or both!): Mango Salsa
- Tacos: Cauliflower Tacos, Crispy Potato Tacos with Chipotle Sauce
- Veggie enchiladas
- Bean dip
- Salad
More easy drink recipes
If you tried this drink or any other recipe, be sure to rate the recipe and let me know what you think. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more delicious recipes.
Editor’s note: This recipe was originally published on August 3, 2020. Since then, it’s been freshened up with new pictures and more details to help you make the recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 grapefruit, juiced
- 1 lime, juiced
- 2 ounces silver/blanco tequila
- 2 ounces Cointreau, or any other orange liqueur
- course salt for rim
- slice or wedge of lime, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Rim glass with salt: Pour salt on a small rimmed plate. Run a lime wedge around the edge of your glasses and then dip into salt.
- Mix ingredients in a shaker: Combine the grapefruit juice, lime juice, Cointreau, tequila, and a few cubes of ice in a shaker (*see note if you don’t have a shaker). Shake until well combined.
- Garnish (optional) and serve: Fill the glass with ice. Using a strainer, pour the mixture into the glass. Garnish with a slice of lime and serve immediately.
Notes
- If you don’t have a shaker: If you don’t have a shaker, use a mason jar and a strainer! Combine ingredients in the mason jar, close, and shake until well combined. Pour through a strainer into the glass.
- Use high-quality ingredients: Your drink is going to be as good as your ingredients.
- Fresh lime and grapefruit juice: Squeeze your lime and grapefruit juice right before making your drink for the best flavor.
- Salt: If you’re going to be rimming the glass with salt, make sure it’s Kosher salt or any other kind of course salt. Do not use iodized salt.
- To sweeten your drink: While this recipe doesn’t include sweetener, feel free to sweeten with a little orange juice, simple syrup, agave nectar, or maple syrup.
Susan says
Thank you very much for sharing such a delightful recipe!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So glad you enjoyed it, Susan!