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Grapefruit Hibiscus Margarita

This grapefruit hibiscus margarita is the perfect cocktail recipe to make you think of summer! Fresh grapefruit and lime juice, homemade hibiscus simple syrup, and a little muddled mint make this a fun and tropical cocktail! 

three grapefruit hibiscus margaritas

Grapefruit hibiscus margaritas need to happen, and they need to happen often.

I can never resist an excuse to make flavored simple syrups and jumped at my idea to add some homemade hibiscus simple syrup to this margarita.

The sweet and tangy combination of fresh grapefruit and lime juice? Okay. Some muddled mint? Sounds great.

grapefruit hibiscus margarita recipe ingredients
sliced grapefruit and limes

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Grapefruit Hibiscus Margarita Recipe

If you’re looking for a bright drink, this is for you. If you’re looking for a tasty drink, this is for you.

If you’re looking for an easy drink … well, actually, it is a very easy drink to make if you just do these 3 quick things:

  • Make your hibiscus simple syrup ahead of time.
  • Zest one grapefruit before you juice it.
  • Juice the limes and grapefruit ahead of time and keep the juice in the fridge.
rimming a wine glass in salt for a margarita
3 glasses rimmed in citrus margarita salt

Right now I have three mason jars in the refrigerator next to each other – 1 simple syrup, 1 grapefruit juice and 1 lime juice  (every day is margarita day… !!!) I also have a little bag of kosher salt and grapefruit zest.

Speaking of kosher salt and grapefruit zest, use that fun combination and some lime juice to rim the glasses. We are big fans of margaritas with salted rims here at The Thirsty Feast. Yum.

photo of three margaritas

How to Make a Grapefruit Hibiscus Margarita

Okay, it’s time to make your grapefruit margarita.

You have your grapefruit zest/kosher salt-rimmed glasses so fill those up with ice and set them aside. Grab a cocktail shaker and place several mint leaves at the bottom with the tequila. Muddle the lime to release the oils (like when you make a mint julep) and then fill the shaker with ice.

Pour the grapefruit juice, lime juice, and hibiscus simple syrup over the ice and shake.

Shake and shake and shake.

Then strain the drink over the prepared glasses and garnish with a lime wedge and mint leaf. Bam. It’s a grapefruit hibiscus margarita and it’s got your name All. Over. It.

three grapefruit hibiscus margaritas grapefruit slices and fresh mint

Using Fresh Squeezed Juice

Grapefruit juice is so tasty – I just love that sweet and sour combination. I am a big fan of using fresh-squeezed juice in cocktails and grapefruit is just as easy to juice as lemons or limes.

You could use Rose’s lime juice or store-bought grapefruit juice but there will be preservatives and possibly added sugar. Not only is that going to totally change the cocktail, but it’s also going to take away from the fruit’s natural flavors.

overhead photo of one grapefruit hibiscus margarita

I have tried multiple types of handheld juicers and my favorite by far is the lemon/lime manual squeezer. My goal is to get the most juice as possible out of each lemon – or in the case of this margarita recipe – grapefruit and lime.

A quick citrus juicing tip – let your fruit get to room temperature before juicing. Cold fruit doesn’t produce as much juice.

overhead photo of 2 grapefruit margaritas

How to Make Hibiscus Simple Syrup

Hibiscus simple syrup can be made in advance and kept in a mason jar in the fridge for the next time you are in the mood for grapefruit hibiscus margaritas.

Steep some dried hibiscus flowers in boiling water, kind of like when you are making tea. Then pour the liquid through a sieve and strain out the flowers. Pour the hibiscus water back into the pot and make your simple syrup just as if it was plain water.

Voilà! It’s like magic.

I’ve also made hibiscus simple syrup with honey before (hello hibiscus honey mint julep. i miss you.) If you are not feeling the granulated sugar, no hard feelings. Use honey instead!

grapefruit hibiscus margaritas pinterest image

Looking for more simple syrup recipes? Try my:

Grapefruit Hibiscus Margarita

This grapefruit hibiscus margarita is the perfect cocktail recipe to make you think of summer! Fresh grapefruit and lime juice, homemade hibiscus simple syrup, and a little muddled mint make this a fun and tropical cocktail!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Cocktails
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2
Calories: 159.4kcal

Ingredients

  • 5-6 mint leaves
  • 3 ounces tequila blanca
  • 3 ounces grapefruit juice
  • ½ ounce lime juice
  • 1 ounce hibiscus simple syrup

Hibiscus Simple Syrup

  • ½ cup fresh hibiscus flowers
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar

For garnish

  • grapefruit zest
  • kosher salt
  • lime wedge
  • mint leaves

Instructions

  • Muddle the mint leaves and tequila in a shaker. Top with several ice cubes and pour the grapefruit juice, lime juice and hibiscus simple syrup over the ice. Shake well.
  • Rub a lime wedge along the edge of a glass. Combine the grapefruit zest and kosher salt on a small plate; rub the glass edge into the zest/salt combination. Fill the glass with ice.
  • Strain the margarita into the glass and garnish with a lime wedge and a mint leaf.

To make the hibiscus simple syrup

  • Bring water to a boil over medium-high heat in a small pot. Turn off heat, add the hibiscus flowers and steep for 5 minutes. Strain out the hibiscus flowers. Return the pot to the stove and add the sugar. Heat on medium until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 159.4kcal | Carbohydrates: 16.1g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 10.4mg | Potassium: 101.2mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 15.2g | Vitamin A: 112.7IU | Vitamin C: 14.4mg | Calcium: 12.3mg | Iron: 0.8mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
This grapefruit hibiscus margarita is the perfect cocktail recipe to make you think of summer! Fresh grapefruit and lime juice, homemade hibiscus simple syrup and a little muddled mint make this a fun and tropical cocktail! | honeyandbirch.com

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




Scarlet

Saturday 22nd of June 2019

I love fun twists on old favorites like this. I am pinning it to try soon. The grapefruit and hibiscus combo sounds fab!

Tamara

Sunday 14th of February 2016

I have to make these! Beautiful photos, and the cocktail sounds amazing! Pinning :-)

swayam

Friday 12th of February 2016

Downright perfection! Cant think of something better to ring in Vday with... beautiful share Jenny. Thanks for joining us at #SaucySaturday

Anita - Neetzy.com

Friday 12th of February 2016

Love the color of this drink! It sounds somewhat like a spiked version of a Starbucks shaken iced tea (which is delicious), with a twist of grapefruit. Yum! Btw, love your photographs.

Jenny

Friday 12th of February 2016

Thank you Anita!

Jess

Thursday 11th of February 2016

Coming over from the #FoodieFriDiy linkup and I am so glad I did! Totally pinning, have a great week! xo