About The Hibiscus and Grapefruit Collins Recipe
The original Tom Collins cocktail recipe has been around for centuries, so it’s no surprise that it’s launched an array of variations and twists.
The first Tom Collins recipe features gin, lemon, sugar, and soda water.
These ingredients all work amazingly together, but there are number of floral ingredients that we thought could enhance the recipe.
Our drinks team created this Grapefruit collins recipe featured in our cocktail discovery box, along with the Chilli Chocolate Espresso Martini.
To celebrate the start of Spring and the warmer months, we wanted something floral, fruity, and refreshing.
We love hibiscus for it’s sweet character, and then used sharp grapefruit as an elegant addition to balance the drink.
But first, we had to find an amazing gin to hold the drink together.
The Gin
Luckily, one of the main characteristics of gin is it’s floral, botanical flavour. However for this recipe we really wanted to hero classical British ingredients, which would also complement the grapefruit and hibiscus.
Enter: Burleighs Signature London Dry Gin
This gin is distilled with 11 carefully selected botanicals, including Silver Birch, Dandelion, Burdock, and Elderberries.
On the nose it’s fresh and vibrant, with piny eucalyptus and citrus notes.
The palate is predominantly a dry juniper with earthy, spicy pine flavours following.
Their Signature product is an incredibly smooth and balanced gin.
We found it was perfect for serving in a classic gin and tonic with a twist of orange, or with fresh grapefruit.
Grapefruit and Hibiscus
For our cocktail box members, we created a delicious Grapefruit and Hibiscus sherbet.
This recipe is top secret (we’re very good at what we do, and can’t give away all of our secrets!) so if you’re looking to make the grapefruit collins recipe at home, we’d recommend using MONIN Hibiscus syrup.
Then use a potato peeler to peel a grapefruit. Add five peels into your hibiscus syrup and infuse for 12 hours.
Make sure you eat the grapefruit, it’s delicious!
Need more help? Read our guide to making your own cocktail syrups.
How to Make the Hibiscus and Grapefruit Collins Recipe
Ingredients
50ml Burleighs Signature London Gin
20ml Hibiscus Syrup infused with Grapefruit
15ml Lemon Juice
125ml Soda Water
Method
Build all the ingredients in a hi-ball glass with cubed ice.
Garnish
Dehydrated lemon
Expert Tip
Make sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice if you can. Your taste buds will thank you later!
Fresh lemon juice brings a breezy lightness which is needed in a Springtime cocktail.
Though there are plenty of pre-made lemon juices available, we find that they never quite bring the same zesty zing to the drink.
What Tastes Like a Grapefruit Collins?
Paloma
Fans of grapefruit cocktails should look no further than the Paloma recipe. It’s an enchanting mix of tequila, grapefruit, and lime, topped with soda.
The addition of agave syrup gives the drink a smoky sweetness, perfect for sipping in the late afternoon sun.
It’s certainly sharper than the grapefruit collins recipe, but a classic cocktail nonetheless.
Hibiscus and Elderflower Collins
If you enjoy the unique taste of hibiscus, then you’ll love our Hibiscus and Elderflower Martini.
Like the Hibiscus collins recipe, this tasty cocktail is a gin and hibiscus flower, with additional flavours of organic elderflower liqueur, and zesty citrus. It comes pre-bottled and ready to drink in either 500ml or 200ml.
Find out more: Hibiscus and Elderflower Martini.
Discover Great Cocktails Each Month
The Hibiscus and Grapefruit Collins recipe was our DIY cocktail of the month in our March 2022 cocktail discovery box.
Voted “best subscription” by GQ magazine in 2021, each box contains 10-12 cocktails, tasty snacks, and a free gift!
Find out more about our amazing cocktail subscription offers.