For the longest time, I couldn’t stand bourbon. I tried it and immediately my face would uncontrollably look as though I had eaten an entire lemon, seeds and all. I don’t know why – perhaps bourbon is more of an acquired taste? But now, I can happily say I’ve been enjoying bourbon, especially when it’s in drinks like this Grapefruit Bourbon Cocktail with Basil.
I wonder if my recent taking to bourbon had anything to do with all the time I spent in Atlanta the past year and a half.
Maybe the south and its delicious cocktails got to me. Oh you know, like the pimento cheese (WITH BACON JAM! what up, Victory Sandwich Bar), saying hello to strangers, and dining al fresco.
Speaking of which, can we move to Atlanta yet or what?
Back on topic. This particular grapefruit bourbon cocktail is refreshing with a bit of tartness thanks to the grapefruit, and an incredible smell which can partially be attributed to the fresh basil syrup.
Make your own grapefruit bourbon cocktail
- Juice from 2 grapefruits
- 4 sprigs rosemary
- 3 oz. bourbon
- Peychaud's Bitters
- Club soda
- 4 fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- Combine sugar and water in a pan over medium heat.
- Stir to combine.
- Once combined, add basil leaves and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Let cool while making the cocktail.
- Combine syrup, bourbon, grapefruit juice, and bitters in glass.
- Add ice and top off with club soda, stir.
- Garnish with rosemary and grapefruit peel.
Still looking for more cocktail inspiration? Here it is.
Featured on Drizly!
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YUM! Your drinks are my favorite!
Yay! This makes me so happy 🙂
You’ve done it again! That’s another one pinned for the weekend.
Buckets & Spades
Yay! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
This drink screams summer! Are we there yet?! But seriously, this looks delicious. Thank you for sharing – pinning immediately! 🙂
-Clarissa @ http://www.theviewfromhere.is
Doesn’t it! At least we’re almost to spring, right? Enjoy! 🙂
Yum – this drink looks and sounds delicious! It’s still pretty cold out around here, but I pinned this one for later. Yay for thinking about summer!
Jackie
Something About That
Thanks, Jackie! It’s such a fun spring drink – hope you enjoy it! 🙂
My first reaction to your question about moving to Atlanta is to think, “Oh my goodness, the humidity!” Don’t hold it against me. I’m born and raised in Seattle, which makes me inherently adverse to bright, sweaty heat.
However, before I even got to the humidity OMG moment, I fell in love with all things about this post. Basil is my jam. I mean. Really. LOVE the herb. Can’t wait to ask the hubby to make me this one. (I firmly believe all drinks taste better when they’re served to you 😉 ) Thanks!
I totally get it! I’m so anti-humidly and anti-heat, that it’s mind boggling I even want to move to Atlanta. BUT, I would totally deal with it because of how much I love down there.
And thank you so much for your kind words! I hope he whips up a good one for you 🙂
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Oh my… this sounds amazing. I love grapefruit so much. I WILL be trying this.
Thanks so much for sharing!!
Paris with an A
Yay! I hope you enjoy it. It’s definitely refreshing 🙂
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Do you suggest any specific types of bourbon to use?
I used Bulleit and it was delicious!
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Sounds delicious, but how much of each ingredient do I add per drink?
thanks!
Looks delicious! Trying to make this but would appreciate more precise measurements. How much of the syrup do we use for each recipe? How many shakes of biters? How much juice did you get from your grapefruits?
Hi, Tori – Thank you! For the syrup, I’d suggest about 1 T for two glasses (this is a bit of personal preference on how sweet you want it), 2 shakes of bitters, and juice from two large grapefruits. Enjoy!
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