Ginger-kissed Grapefruit Juice
Bright grapefruit juice gets a gentle lift from fresh ginger and a squeeze of lime. It is tart, refreshing, and easy to make with a hand juicer or citrus press.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 2 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 10mCook 0mAmericanDrinks
Fresh grapefruit juice can feel a little fancy, but it is one of the easiest drinks to make at home. The flavor is clean and brisk, with enough natural sweetness to stand on its own.
Here, a small amount of grated fresh ginger adds warmth without turning the juice spicy. Lime sharpens the edges and makes the grapefruit taste even brighter.
Serve it over ice for breakfast, brunch, or a simple afternoon drink. If your grapefruits are very tart, see the tips for easy ways to soften the flavor.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
5 items · 2 servings
- 2 cups freshly squeezed pink or red grapefruit juice, from about 3 large grapefruits
- 2 teaspoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Ice, for serving
- Thin grapefruit or lime slices, for garnish, optional
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the grapefruits
For the freshest drink, chill the grapefruits before juicing. Cold fruit makes cold juice, so you will need less ice and the flavor will stay bold.
2. Roll the fruit
Set each grapefruit on the counter and press it gently with your palm while rolling it back and forth. This helps loosen the juice inside.
3. Juice the grapefruits
Cut the grapefruits in half. Squeeze them with a citrus reamer, hand juicer, or electric citrus press until you have 2 cups of juice. Remove any seeds.
4. Grate the ginger
Peel a small knob of fresh ginger with the edge of a spoon. Grate it finely with a microplane or the small holes of a box grater. Fine pieces release more flavor into the juice.
5. Mix the juice
Pour the grapefruit juice into a pitcher or large measuring cup. Stir in the grated ginger and lime juice until evenly combined.
6. Strain if you like
For a smoother drink, pour the juice through a fine-mesh strainer. For a more rustic juice with stronger ginger flavor, leave the ginger in.
7. Serve cold
Fill two glasses with ice. Pour the ginger grapefruit juice over the ice and garnish with a thin slice of grapefruit or lime, if using. Serve right away.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Juice the grapefruits up to 24 hours ahead. Stir in the ginger and lime just before serving for the brightest flavor.
- Storage: Keep leftover juice in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Shake or stir before drinking because fresh juice separates as it sits.
- Ginger strength: Two teaspoons gives a gentle ginger flavor. Use 1 teaspoon for a milder drink or 1 tablespoon if you like more heat.
- Sweetness swap: If your grapefruit is very tart, stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey, agave, or simple syrup. This will change the nutrition values.
- No fresh ginger: Use a small pinch of ground ginger in a pinch, but add it carefully. Ground ginger tastes stronger and less fresh than grated ginger.
- Make it sparkling: Pour each serving over ice and top with a splash of cold sparkling water for a lighter, fizzy drink.
Cook's note
Red and pink grapefruits are usually sweeter than white grapefruits, which can taste sharper and more bitter. If using white grapefruit, taste before serving and sweeten only if needed.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make this juice without a juicer?
Yes. Cut the grapefruits in half and squeeze them by hand, using a fork to help loosen the segments. Strain out seeds and extra pulp if you want a smoother drink.
Do I need to peel the ginger?
Peeling is helpful because ginger skin can be papery. The easiest method is to scrape the skin off with the edge of a spoon before grating.
Can I use bottled grapefruit juice?
You can, but choose 100% grapefruit juice with no added sugar for the cleanest flavor. Fresh juice tastes brighter, especially with the lime and ginger.
Why does my grapefruit juice taste bitter?
Some bitterness is natural. Avoid pressing too hard into the white pith when juicing, because the pith tastes bitter. Pink or red grapefruits also tend to be less bitter than white ones.
Is this drink safe with medications?
Grapefruit can interact with some medications, including certain cholesterol, blood pressure, and anxiety medicines. If you have been told to avoid grapefruit, skip this recipe or ask a healthcare professional.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
2 servings
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium3 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate24 g
- 9%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars21 g
- Protein1 g
- 2%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium24 mg
- 2%
- Iron0.5 mg
- 3%
- Potassium417 mg
- 9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
You might also like
DrinksClassic Homemade Lemonade
Bright, simple lemonade starts with fresh lemons, a little sugar, and cold water. A quick syrup helps the sugar dissolve, so every glass tastes smooth instead of gritty.
DrinksLong Island Iced Tea
This classic party cocktail looks like iced tea, but it is made with five spirits, citrus, simple syrup, and a splash of cola. It is easy to mix, but it is a strong drink, so pour carefully and serve over plenty of ice.
DrinksPeanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Creamy, nutty, and naturally sweet, this peanut butter banana smoothie is a quick breakfast or snack you can make in about 5 minutes. It uses simple ingredients and blends up thick enough to feel satisfying.
DrinksMint Julep
A mint julep is a simple bourbon cocktail built right in the glass with fresh mint, a little sugar, and plenty of crushed ice. It is crisp, cold, and easy to make when you treat the mint gently.