This Grapefruit Rosemary Cocktail is a spin on a traditional mojito, swapping out the muddled mint for fresh rosemary. It’s a delicious and refreshing grapefruit cocktail made with rum, fresh juice, and a hint of rosemary.
This fun cocktail is a spin on the classic mojito recipe, using rosemary and grapefruit. If you’re a grapefruit lover like me, check out these other delicious grapefruit recipes like Grapefruit Vinaigrette, Fresh Grapefruit Moscow Mule, and Grapefruit Orange Juice. For more Mojito recipes, try Fresh Watermelon Gin Mojito or The Best Virgin Mojito.
Even though living in California, we don’t get much of a winter, I still enjoy using seasonal ingredients like grapefruit and rosemary during the winter time of year (but its also delicious on hot summer days!). This has actually become one of my favorite cocktails!
Jump to RecipeWhy this recipe works
- Super simple. This cocktail just requires some gentle muddling. No making simple syrup or other fancy equipment required. We are using fresh rosemary instead of making rosemary syrup, and you don’t even need a cocktail shaker!
- Great holiday cocktail. Mojitos are usually a summer drink, but swapping for rosemary and grapefruit make this a great holiday and winter cocktail.
- Refreshing flavor. Fresh ingredients like herbaceous rosemary and juicy grapefruit make this a delightfully refreshing drink with the perfect balance of flavors.
- Delicious twist. This grapefruit mojito is a seasonal twist on the classic mojito cocktail.
Ingredients
- Grapefruit - Fresh grapefruit juice adds a bittersweet flavor to this refreshing cocktail. Use red or pink grapefruit. Swap the grapefruit for other citrus like a blood orange if you’re not a fan of the bitterness. Can also swap for no sugar added orange juice. You can also add a splash of lemon juice or fresh lime juice.
- Rosemary Sprigs - Normally the fresh herbs in a mojito is mint, but fresh rosemary replaces the traditional mint in this mojito twist.
- White Rum - Mojitos are a rum-based cocktail and I’m not changing that up! Any good quality white or light rum will do for this mojito. If you’re not a fan of rum, try vodka or gin.
- Sugar - Probably the best part of a classically well-done mojito is the crunches of sugar you get while sipping. It adds an essential kick of sugar to balance the acidic citrus.
- Club Soda - A mojito calls for club soda to top off the cocktail. Club soda adds the bubbly extra step that this cocktail needs to really balance the flavors. Use any club soda (non-flavored) for this mojito. Can substitute for soda water.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Instructions
Add half the grapefruit into the bottom of a highball or large glass with a few sprigs of rosemary. Gently muddle until grapefruit is juiced and the rosemary flavor is released.
Add remaining rosemary and grapefruit with sugar and muddle again until the sugar dissolves.
Add ice, then pour over rum. Top it off with club soda.
Garnish with fresh grapefruit wedges and a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Expert Tips
- If you don’t have a muddler, just use the bottom end of a wooden spoon!
- Muddling twice is the best way to get the most flavor from your drink. The first muddle helps to release oil from the grapefruit and rosemary, and the second muddle helps blend the sugar with the rest of the ingredients.
- Don’t forget the garnish! Top your glass with a fresh sprig of rosemary and a wedge of grapefruit so you get the lovely aroma when you bring your glass up to take a sip.
More Cocktails
More fruity cocktails for your happy hour!
- Cherry Moscow Mule
- Blackberry Vodka & Elderflower Cocktail
- Fresh Grapefruit Moscow Mule
- Hibiscus Vodka Prosecco Cocktail
- Strawberry Basil Vodka 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!
Grapefruit Rosemary Cocktail
Equipment
- Muddler
Ingredients
- 1 Grapefruit
- 6 Rosemary Sprigs washed thoroughly
- 2 OZ Rum White
- 2 TBSP Granulated Sugar
- 4 OZ Club Soda
Instructions
- Cut the grapefruit into ½” slices. Take each slice and divide into 4 wedges.
- Place 4 wedges (or 1 grapefruit slice) into the bottom of a highball glass along with 3 small rosemary sprigs.
- Muddle gently to release rosemary oils and aroma, and to get grapefruit juices from the wedge. Muddle for about 15-seconds or the grapefruit is juiced.
- Add the remaining rosemary sprigs and 2 more wedges of grapefruit. Pour the sugar and muddle gently again to incorporate the sugar with the juices and oils.
- Add ice to top off glass.
- Pour the rum over the ice.
- Top the drink off with club soda.
- To garnish, take your knife to slice halfway through one grapefruit wedge. Place the slit of the grapefruit wedge onto the glass so it stands.
Notes
- A mojito is best served with crushed ice in a highball glass.
- If you don’t have a muddler, just use the bottom end of a wooden spoon!
- Muddling twice is the best way to get the most flavor from your drink. The first muddle helps to release oil from the grapefruit and rosemary, and the second muddle helps blend the sugar with the rest of the ingredients.
Leave a Reply