My early 20s were filled with all sorts of adventures...backpacking through Europe, bungee-jumping (twice - apparently I didn't learn my lesson the first time), moving to a new country. However, there was one area where I didn't veer far from my comfort zone. Cocktails. Sure, I tried the occasional "different" shot when out with my friends (remember Melon Balls and Dr. Peppers), but when it came to slow-sipping, I always came back to my favorites, which were Kamikazes, Caesars (the Canadian Bloody Mary) and Greyhounds (tart with grapefruit juice).
Do you notice the common theme? Yep, vodka. Clearly that's because I'm a complete wimp when it comes to hard alcohol. When I first tried whiskey, I coughed and wheezed as though I'd climbed 1000 stairs. Tequila shots? As soon as they're mentioned, I hastily disappear (you'll find me by the guacamole bowl). Gin and tonic? Hell no. We will save those for the Englishmen in the Caribbean. The thing about vodka is that the taste is muted by the other cocktail ingredients. Well, unless you're a very heavy pourer.
Despite my decidedly wimpy nature when it comes to cocktails, I can't help but be intrigued whenever I visit Barb Kiebel's site, Creative Culinary. A year ago, Barb kicked off her series, The Friday Cocktail, and proceeded to whet our whistles with her innovative cocktails and the intriguing stories that go along with them. Now she's celebrating the one year anniversary with a virtual cocktail party. Head over to Creative Culinary to peruse the cocktail creations from many bloggers around the web. Maybe I'll even step up to the plate and try something new.
The recipe:
Cut pink grapefruits in half and squeeze the juice into a fine-mesh sieve set over a large pitcher. Push down on the pulp in the sieve to release all of the juice.
Fill two Collins glasses with ice cubes. To each glass, add 3 ounces of vodka, 6 ounces of pink grapefruit juice and 1 teaspoon of agave nectar. Stir well, garnish with a lime wedge and serve. If you prefer your cocktail to be a little sweeter, add additional agave nectar.
Other simple cocktails with vodka:
Cookin' Canuck's The Caesar Cocktail, aka the Canadian Bloody Mary
Cookin' Canuck's Kamikaze Cocktail or Shot
Cookin' Canuck's Watermelon Limeade Vodka Cocktail
Creative Culinary's Lavendar Lemonade Martini
My Baking Addiction's Stoli Doli (Pineapple!)
Snappy Gourmet's Blackberry Vodka Sangria
Pink Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh pink grapefruit juice I used 5 LARGE grapefruits
- 6 ounces vodka
- 2 or more teaspoons agave nectar
- ice
- lime wedges garnish
Instructions
- Cut pink grapefruits in half and squeeze the juice into a fine-mesh sieve set over a large pitcher. Push down on the pulp in the sieve to release all of the juice.
- Fill two Collins glasses with ice cubes. To each glass, add 3 ounces of vodka, 6 ounces of pink grapefruit juice and 1 teaspoon of agave nectar. Stir well, garnish with a lime wedge and serve. If you prefer your cocktail to be a little sweeter, add additional agave nectar.
- Serve them up!
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
MikeVFMK
Love greyhounds and used to make more than I care to count in my days as a bartender. But adding pink grapefruit? Yes! I could make and drink my share of those. Lovely, Dara!
Becky at Vintage Mixer
Can't wait to try this one. I'm a huge grapefruit juice fan!!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
heavens! This is on my cocktail to do list
addie @ culicurious
This looks so tasty and refreshing!! 🙂
Barbara | Creative Culinary
Thanks so much for joining the party Dara and you've brought a great drink to the table. I can do this for breakfast right...after all, it has fruit juice in it!
Rachel
I love greyhounds! They were one of my first favorite drinks! Have you had a seabreeze? It's basically a greyhound with a splash of cranberry juice. That is my favorite drink! Along with whiskey and ginger ale! What can I say? I'm a whiskey girl! (But like you, I'd pass on the tequila! YUCK!)
Anna @ hiddenponies
Pink grapefruit is one of my favourite flavours...this looks perfect!
Karen Harris
So funny, I really considered posting a Kamakazi for Barb's party but the B-52 won out in the end. Love greyhounds too. You are a girl after my own heart. Cheers!
Annalise
Yum! This is totally my kind of cocktail. I'm kinda a wimp too, and you can't go wrong with vodka! I think this drink mixed with a little Campari to enhance the grapefruit flavor would be spectacular. Happy Friday, cheers!
Holly
Hi, I am visiting from Barb's Friday Cocktail celebration where I was lucky enough to join the fantastic group of bloggers who shared cocktails today. Your cocktail is beautiful and the photo simply gorgeous. I'm looking forward to enjoying much more from your site. Holly
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Holly! I hope you come back to visit.
Sarah @ Will Run for Pasta
I love pink grapefruit so this sounds delicious!
Bungee-jumping is on my list of 35 things to do this year before I turn 35... might take me another 9 months to work up the courage but knowing you have done it is giving me hope 😀
Allison C
Do you know how many grapefruits you had to squeeze to get 12oz? Just want an approx number to work off of. This sounds super tasty right now, but will have to wait a few more hours.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Sorry about that, Allison. I meant to include that information. I used 5 LARGE pink grapefruits.
Joan
Lucky you! You can have grapefruit juice. I am taking a medication that doesn't work if you eat/drink or otherwise ingest grapefruit. Boy, I miss grapefruit. I'd try this in a New York minute otherwise.
Cathy @ Noble Pig
I am cracking up at the Kamikaze reference, I haven't thought about those in years! Oh my the old days. This looks like one to try!
Heidi @foodiecrush
I love me a good vodka drink, and of course sharing it with you would only be the icing on the cocktail cake. I've got to try those Caesars too! XO clink clink
kelley
CI, unlike you, was and still am a huge fan of whiskey and tequila. What can I say? While you're hiding by the guacamole, I'll be the one taking shots. Cheers!!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
Love grapefruit juice and lime combo- yum!