Light, fresh and bubbly, this Sparkling Vanilla Bean and Grapefruit Gin Cocktail recipe is the perfect drink for a brunch or sunny afternoon!

In the doldrums of winter, all I’m craving is something that makes me feel all those warm and bright summer vibes! Grapefruit is one of my favorite fruits in the winter to bring on those fresh, vibrant colors and flavors, I mean just look at that cocktail!

This colorful grapefruit gin cocktail fits in just as well on the beach in the middle of summer as it does among the drifts of snow during the chilliest days of winter. The fresh, citrusy grapefruit flavor is mellowed out with a simple syrup infused with vanilla bean.

Not that you ever need a reason to make a cocktail but this one is a real winner for a brunch or a sunny afternoon! If you are serving a crowd, shake up a large batch of the drink ahead of time, strain it and store it in the fridge. Top each glass with a splash of sparkling water and garnish with the grapefruit and rosemary just before serving. Cheers friends!

HOW TO MAKE A SPARKLING VANILLA BEAN AND GRAPEFRUIT COCKTAIL VIDEO {45 SEC}:

Sparkling Vanilla Bean and Grapefruit Gin Cocktail

Print Recipe

Light, fresh and bubbly, this Sparkling Vanilla and Grapefruit Gin Cocktail recipe is the perfect drink for a brunch or sunny afternoon!

Author: Kristen
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 Cocktail 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup

1 vanilla bean
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Grapefruit Gin Cocktail

1 1/2 ounces gin
1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
1 ounce vanilla bean simple syrup
1 ounce sparkling water or club soda

Instructions

Split vanilla bean lengthwise into halves. Scrape out seeds with tip of small knife. Set aside.
To make Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup, in 1-quart saucepan, mix sugar, water, vanilla seeds and bean. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; set aside 1 hour to cool. Discard vanilla bean. Pour syrup into glass jar. Cover jar; refrigerate until needed. Makes 1 1/4 cups.
In a shaker filled with ice, combine gin, grapefruit juice and vanilla simple syrup. Shake vigorously for at least a minute.
Strain into a glass with ice. Top with sparkling water and garnish with a wedge of grapefruit and a sprig of rosemary.

Notes

To serve a crowd, prepare the cocktail in a large batch and top with sparkling water just before serving.

If you love vanilla but don’t have time to mess with the vanilla beans, just add a splash of vanilla extract to your simple syrup once it’s slightly cooled.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories: 163
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 1mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 13g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

What’s your favorite gin cocktail?

Or, would you like a Paloma Cocktail with Chili Lime Salt…

Or, maybe a Sage and Grapefruit Mimosa…

Still not finding what you want? Try one of these…
Carbonated Negroni Cocktail from White on Rice Couple
Ginger Kombucha Cocktails from Love and Lemons
Rosemary Gin Fizz Cocktail from Inspired Taste

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Sparkling Vanilla Bean and Grapefruit Gin Cocktail {Video}

HOW TO MAKE A SPARKLING VANILLA BEAN AND GRAPEFRUIT COCKTAIL VIDEO {45 SEC}: