Pink Grapefruit Margarita

My Pink Grapefruit Margarita is the perfect way to use fresh citrus. I use both fresh grapefruit juice and fresh lime juice.

Let’s face it, there are few cocktails that taste as good as a cold, tangy, sweet, salty margarita. I’ve replaced the lime juice with fresh grapefruit juice in my Pink Grapefruit Margarita recipe. And I’ve salted the rim with a special lime-zest salt.

PINK GRAPEFRUIT MARGARITA INGREDIENTS 

1. TEQUILA – I used a decent priced, decent brand of tequila. I’m not much of a tequila “expert” but I know that cheap tequila tastes like and it’s not good. If your not a tequila “expert” either, stick to a  moderately-priced tequila and it will do just fine for any mixed tequila cocktail.
2. TRIPLE SEC – This is an ingredient I need to explain. Triple Sec is a type of liqueur. Specifically, it’s an orange-flavored liqueur. You can buy triple sec in any liquor store and it’s labeled “triple sec”. I like to use Cointreau in my margaritas. Cointreau is nothing more than a brand of triple sec. It’s a bit more expensive but I know what I’m getting every time. Here’s the bottom line – triple sec is made by many companies where Cointreau is a brand that is made by a single company. 
3. FRESH GRAPEFRUIT JUICE – I have an obsession with fresh grapefruit and an even bigger obsession with pink grapefruit. And that’s odd because the only difference is that pink grapefruits are pink. A red grapefruit, on the other hand, is a little bit sweeter. A red grapefruit would be fantastic in this recipe too.

salted rim or no salt?

How do you like your margaritas? With salt? Or without salt? I’m a salty gal all the way (insert wink). I’m certainly not here to judge anyone but I can’t imagine having an ice-cold margarita without a salted rim.

But if you are a no-salt person – no worries – you can still make this mouthwatering cocktail, just skip the step about salting the rim.

If you are a salty gal like me, you’ll want to try my lime zest salted rim technique.

lime zest salted rim

1. Place 2 TBS of fine salt on a small plate or in a dish.
2. Zest a whole lime on to the salt. 
3. Use a fork to muddle together the salt and zest so the lime zest oil infuses the salt. 
4. Rub a slice of lime around the top rim of the glass. 
5. Dip the glass into the salt. You might have to roll it around to ensure you are getting all sides of the glass. 
6. TIP: You can also just add salt to one side of the glass. Follow the steps above and only do it on half of the rim.

more margarita recipes

• Apple Cider Margarita
• Cranberry Margarita
• Sparkling Apricot Margarita

Pink Grapefruit Margarita

Laura Franco

My Pink Grapefruit Margarita is the perfect way to use fresh citrus. I use both fresh grapefruit juice and fresh lime juice. 

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Drinks and cocktails

Cuisine Tex Mex

Servings 3 cocktails

Ingredients

  

• 4-1/2 ounces 3 shots of white (blanco) tequila
• 3 ounces cointreau substitution: triple sec
• 6-8 ounces of fresh grapefruit juice
• 2 TBS salt for salted rim
• Zest from 1 lime
• 1-2 slices of lime for garnish
• 1-2 slices of grapefruit for garnish

Instructions

 

• Fill three highball glasses with ice.
• Add 1 shot of tequila to each glass.
• Add 1 ounce (3/4 shot) cointreau to each glass.
• Top each glass with grapefruit juice.
• Garnish with lime and grapefruit slices.
• For the Salted Lime Rimmed Glass
• Place 2 TBS of fine salt on a small plate or in a dish.
• Zest a whole lime on to the salt.
• Use a fork to muddle together the salt and zest so the lime zest oil infuses the salt.
• Rub a slice of lime around the top rim of the glass.
• Dip the glass into the salt. You might have to roll it around to ensure you are getting all sides of the glass.

Keyword grapefruit cocktail, grapefruit margarita