A fusion of grapefruit and rosemary elevates any typical vodka cocktail into an aromatic and refreshing fall drink.
One evening, after raking leaves in my yard, I decided it was time for a drink and relaxation. I have a huge rosemary bush in my yard and I wanted to use some of its lemony-pine-like flavor for an iconic element of autumn. I also had some pink grapefruits that I had just gotten from the market. Grapefruits are available all year long, but on the East Coast they are seasonally best October through June.
I went to our bar to see what liquor options I had on hand. My spouse came running down the steps after hearing me clanging bottles and glasses in the bar. I have learned that if you rattle a cocktail shaker, they will come.
For this recipe I used vodka because it is my go-to liquor. But my spouse is partial to bourbon, so I created it both ways, and they were both exceptionally tantalizing.
Smashing the grapefruit with the honey and rosemary sprigs omits the most pleasantly distinctive bouquet. I poured the pleasantly colored cocktail into our ice-filled glasses and garnished with grapefruit slices and sprigs of rosemary. The color of the bourbon-based second round was not as pleasant, but it was tasty nonetheless.
If you are in search of a thirst-quenching cocktail that offers the flavors of fall, then this is your drink. The recipe below is for a pitcher of four drinks that’s perfect for sharing with friends. Try it both ways!
| Servings | drinks |
- 1 1/2 cups fresh pink grapefruit juice plus 1 pink grapefruit cut into wedges
- 1/8 cup honey
- fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1 cup vodka or bourbon
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
Ingredients
| |
- Combine half the grapefruit wedges, honey and a few rosemary sprigs in a large pitcher and mash with a muddler or wooden spoon.
- Add grapefruit juice, vodka and lime juice; stir to combine.
- Serve over ice and garnish with remaining grapefruit wedges and rosemary.
