Succulently juicy and entirely refreshing in flavour, this Lillet Blanc grapefruit cocktail is easy to shake up and will reward you with a drink that is easy on the palate. We choose a smooth vodka here to set a neutral base, while the sweet brightness of the grapefruit is heightened with the addition of the Lillet Blanc. The French wine-based aperitif isn’t too excessive in its sweetness, and its bitterness pairs nicely with the bitterness of the grapefruit.
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Taste Tip: Picking a ripe grapefruit
The best way to tell if a grapefruit is ripe is to check for three things: its shape, heft, and firmness. A slight oval shape is ideal, so look for a flat bottom and flat top; a perfectly round grapefruit could indicate it is still unripe. A ripe grapefruit should feel heavy and plump in your hand, with smooth and thin skin. When checking for firmness, it should feel firm all the way around. Soft spots are a sign of an overripe fruit that’s going bad.
Spirit Spotlight: Black Cow Vodka is made from nothing but milk
The brainchild of West Dorset dairy farmer Jason Barber, Black Cow Vodka is an interesting one — with a bottle that proudly claims “Pure Milk Vodka”. Made entirely from grass-grazed cow’s milk, Black Cow’s unusual distilling method results in an unexpectedly smooth spirit with a peculiar creamy character. In this grapefruit cocktail, it acts as a gentle base that doesn’t compromise on depth.
Lillet Blanc Grapefruit + Thyme Cocktail Recipe
Course: DrinksDifficulty: Easy1
servings5
minutesAn invigorating cocktail that combines fresh grapefruit, gentle thyme, sweet Lillet Blanc, and a smooth vodka for a deliciously juicy drink that’s easy to imbibe.
Ingredients
1 ounce grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
2 ounces Lillet Blanc
1/2 ounce vodka (we use Black Cow Vodka)
2 sprigs thyme, and some extra for garnish
a pinch of salt (we use Bitterman Salt Co. Kilauea Onyx Black Hawaiian Sea Salt)
Preparation
- Add all ingredients to a shaker.
- Top with ice, cover, and shake until chilled, about 15 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with sprigs of thyme and a slice of grapefruit.
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