Fresh grapefruit juice recipe made with your juicer, blender, or by hand! Grapefruit juice is a mix of sweet, bitter, sour, and always refreshing!
Jump to:
- Why this recipe works
- All About Grapefruit
- Benefits of Grapefruits and Grapefruit Juice
- Equipment
- How to Make Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- How to Use Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- Cocktails with Grapefruit Juice
- Variations
- Expert Tips
- What to serve with grapefruit juice
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Grapefruit Juice Recipes
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
I’ve been really into juicing lately and exploring all the fresh ingredients that can be juiced! I am working on adding more juicing recipes to the blog, and today I bring you grapefruit juice!
I am a big fan of the bittersweet flavor of grapefruit, but I know some people don’t enjoy the bitter flavor. Adding other juices to grapefruit juice can enhance the flavor, like with Orange Grapefruit Juice blend. It makes a great sweet and sour cocktail like Fresh Grapefruit Moscow Mule.
You can also think beyond juicing when looking for grapefruit recipes, like this tangy delicious Grapefruit Vinaigrette or Citrus Arugula Salad made with fresh grapefruit segments.
Why this recipe works
- Limited ingredients
- Easy
- Ready in under 10 minutes
- Vegan
- Gluten free
- Dairy free
All About Grapefruit
Grapefruits are a citrus fruit with a segmented interior. The outer peel can range from green to orange or pink in color, and the interior fruit can be yellow to pink.
These large fruits have a sour, bitter, and slightly sweet taste. Some people don’t like grapefruit because of their bitter notes, but they are one of my favorites! They have a unique flavor, and aren’t overly sweet like oranges, making them perfect for juicing.
There are several varieties of grapefruit including Ruby Red, pink, white, or pomelo. Some varieties are more sweet while some have a more butter flavor.
When buying grapefruits, look for fruits that feel heavy for their size, with flesh free from excess wrinkles or soft spots. They should also have an aromatic and pleasant smell.
The best way to store grapefruit is on the counter at room temperature if you plan to use them in the next few days. If you need to store them for longer, put them in the refrigerator crisper drawer.
Benefits of Grapefruits and Grapefruit Juice
Grapefruits and grapefruit juice can be a nutritious part of your diet!
These ruby red fruits have a good amount of fiber, which is beneficial for digestion and gut health. Grapefruits are high in vitamins too. They have vitamin C, which is a helpful antioxidant and good for the immune system. They also contain vitamin A, also known as beta carotene, which is important for vision health, and can help with immunity and is an anti-inflammatory.
While grapefruits can not actually help you burn fat or speed up metabolism, they are a healthy snack that can help you feel full and hydrated. Grapefruit juice is a low calorie beverage id there is no added sugar.
Be sure to consult your doctor before consuming any new foods, or taking new medications, as grapefruit juice can actually interfere with some medications! See Grapefruit Juice and Some Drugs Don't Mix from the FDA for more information.
For more information, see Johns Hopkins Medicine’s article Grapefruit Health Benefits (source).
Equipment
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How to Make Fresh Grapefruit Juice
There are 3 different methods to make homemade grapefruit juice. You can do it by hand with a citrus juicer, with a blender, or with a juicer!
By Hand Juicer or Citrus Juicer
Cut grapefruits in half, and use either a hand juicer or citrus juicer to extract the juice. You can choose to leave the pulp in or strain it out.
By Juicer
To make grapefruit juice with a juicer, first remove the peel of the grapefruit.
Cut into pieces small enough to fit into the chute of your juicer.
Feed the pieces in your juicer on the LOW setting.
By Blender
To make grapefruit juice with a blender, you’ll want to remove all the peelings and seeds. Chop the grapefruit into smaller pieces.
Add to a high powered blender and blend for 45-60 seconds, until there results in a juicy, foamy consistency.
For a smooth consistency, pour through a strainer (affiliate link) or nut cloth and into a measuring cup.
How to Use Fresh Grapefruit Juice
There are more ways to use grapefruit juice than to just drink it plain!
Mixing grapefruit juice with other juices is a great way to cut down on the bitter taste. Grapefruit Orange Juice is a popular way to sweeten up the sour and butter grapefruit.
You can make a grapefruit agua fresca in the same way this Orange Agua Fresca is made.
Cocktails and mocktails are a popular way to use fresh grapefruit juice! A paloma is a cocktail made with grapefruit juice and tequila. A salty dog combines gin or vodka with grapefruit juice and a salted rim.
On the savory side, I love using freshly squeezed grapefruit juice in Grapefruit Vinaigrette or as a marinade for carne asada.
For more ways to use grapefruit juice, see Substitutes for Orange Juice and Substitutes for Pineapple Juice.
Cocktails with Grapefruit Juice
Grapefruit juice is a great addition to your cocktails and mocktails.
Use it in a salty dog, a paloma, or a brown derby. Try this Grapefruit Cocktail with a sprig of rosemary. Shake up your usual mule and make a Fresh Grapefruit Moscow Mule instead.
Swap out the oranges for fresh grapefruit juice in this 3 Ingredient Skinny Margarita or Spicy Skinny Margarita.
Variations
- Grapefruit orange juice - Adding fresh oranges to the mix acts as a natural sweetener. To figure out the best pair of grapefruit and orange, check out my Best Oranges for Juicing post.
- Pineapple Grapefruit Juice - Combine it with fresh pineapple juice or Pineapple Ginger Juice for a sweet variation.
- Green Goddess Juice - Swap out the orange for grapefruit in Green Goddess Juice.
Expert Tips
Fresh is best! When juicing, try using high quality and fresh ingredients for the best tasting juice.
Storage: Grapefruit juice will last about two hours at room temperature, 2-3 days in the refrigerator, and up to 6 months in the freezer. It’s a good idea to freeze in ice cube trays. For more information on how to best store your grapefruit juice, check out How Long Does Freshly Squeezed Grapefruit Last.
What to serve with grapefruit juice
Frequently Asked Questions
What mixes well with grapefruit juice?
Grapefruit juice can be used in place of other citrus juice or paired with sweeter fruits to balance its butter flavor. I like it paired with navel oranges, fresh mint, and tropical fruits like pineapple and mango.
How to make grapefruit juice less bitter?
Mixing grapefruit juice with other fresh juices is a great way to lessen the bitter taste. Try apple juice, orange juice, or pineapple juice. You can also add a splash of agave or honey to add sweetness.
Grapefruit Juice Recipes
- Grapefruit Orange Juice
- Grapefruit Vinaigrette
- Fresh Grapefruit Moscow Mule
- Grapefruit Rosemary Cocktail
If you try this recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below so I know what you think! Follow Elise Tries to Cook on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and Subscribe via email to receive the latest recipes!
📖 Recipe
Fresh Grapefruit Juice Recipe
Equipment
- Hand juicer
Ingredients
- 4 grapefruits
Instructions
By Hand Juicer or Citrus Juicer
- Cut grapefruits in half.
- Depending on your hand juicer, you may need to either press the flat side down on the juicer or you may need to squeeze and rotate the grapefruit over the element manually. Make sure that there is a bowl or measuring cup underneath to catch the fresh juice.
- If you prefer pulp for the fiber and taste, re-add the pulp at this stage
- Store in an airtight container with a lid or enjoy immediately.
By Juicer
- Remove the peel of the grapefruit.
- Cut into pieces small enough to fit into the chute of your juicer.
- Feed the pieces in your juicer on the LOW setting.
- Store in an airtight container with a lid or enjoy immediately.
By Blender
- Remove the peel of the fruit.
- Roughly chop the grapefruit into smaller pieces. If there are seeds, remove them.
- Add to a high powered blender and blend for 45-60 seconds, until there results in a juicy, foamy consistency.
- If your grapefruits are not ripe, you may need to add some filtered water to get it going. Start with ¼ cup per grapefruit and add depending on your taste and the ripeness of the fruit.
- For a smooth consistency, pour through a strainer or nut cloth and into a measuring cup. If you prefer pulp for the fiber and taste, re-add the pulp at this stage.
- Store in an airtight container with a lid or enjoy immediately.
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