Grapefruit Sour Cocktail Recipe
Taste
Bright, Bitter & Botanical
Skill Level
Medium
Prep Time
7 Minutes
Elegant, zesty and full of personality, the Grapefruit Sour is our modern twist on the classic gin sour, a drink known for its beautiful balance of citrus sharpness and silky texture.
Combining the vibrant bitterness of grapefruit with the botanical smoothness of Pelota Gin, this cocktail delivers a refreshing hit of flavour that’s both sophisticated and surprisingly easy to make at home.
It’s a drink that looks as good as it tastes, frothy, fragrant, and tinged with a soft blush of pink. Perfect for cocktail lovers who enjoy something bold yet refined, the Grapefruit Sour is equally at home at a summer dinner party or an after-work wind-down.
Ingredients
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50ml Pelota Gin
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50ml fresh grapefruit juice
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25ml fresh lemon juice
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25ml aquafaba (or egg white, if preferred)
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A few dashes of bitters
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Ice cubes
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Garnish: slice of dehydrated grapefruit or a grapefruit twist
Tools You’ll Need
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A cocktail shaker
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A strainer
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A measuring jigger
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A bar spoon or stirrer
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A small knife or peeler for garnish
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A tumbler or rocks glass
How to Make the Perfect Grapefruit Sour
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Add your ingredients to the shaker – Pour the Pelota Gin, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, aquafaba, and bitters into a cocktail shaker.
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Dry shake – Shake vigorously without ice for about 10 seconds to whip up a rich, foamy texture.
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Add ice and shake again – Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for another 10–15 seconds until the mixture is chilled and frothy.
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Strain and pour – Double strain into a tumbler filled with ice for a smooth, velvety finish.
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Garnish and serve – Top with a slice of dehydrated grapefruit or twist of peel for aroma and visual flair. Serve immediately and enjoy the perfect harmony of bitter, sour and sweet.
Our Tips for Making the Perfect Grapefruit Sour at Home
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Use fresh citrus. Bottled juice simply can’t compete, fresh grapefruit and lemon bring the right acidity and brightness.
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Shake it twice. The dry shake is essential for achieving that signature silky foam.
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Aquafaba or egg white - your choice. Aquafaba keeps it vegan without sacrificing texture.
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Don’t skip the bitters. They round out the flavour and add depth to the drink.
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Serve cold, but not over-diluted. Use large ice cubes in the glass for slow melting.
Similar Drinks
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Negroni – A sophisticated gin cocktail with a rich, bittersweet profile.
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Peeping Tom Collins – A sharp, citrusy gin serve with soda and sweetness.
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Elderflower Fizz – A floral gin cocktail with prosecco and lemon for a sparkling lift.
A Modern Classic with a Bitter Edge
Inspired by the refined simplicity of a traditional sour, the Grapefruit Sour takes the familiar citrus-and-gin foundation and adds a fresh, contemporary bitterness.
The use of grapefruit juice gives this cocktail a distinctive tang, bold yet beautifully balanced by the smooth botanicals of Pelota Gin and the creamy mouthfeel of aquafaba.
Sours have been part of cocktail culture since the 1800s, prized for their clean structure and refreshing sharpness. This modern reinvention stays true to that heritage while offering a brighter, more aromatic experience, one that feels as at home in a stylish bar as it does in your own kitchen.
