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    The Heirloom Pantry » Recipes » Drinks

    Grapefruit Honey Sake Cocktail

    Published: Aug 30, 2019 · Modified: Jan 8, 2024 by Kathleen Higashiyama · The following content may contain paid links. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.

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    Grapefruit Honey Sake Cocktail is a bright and refreshing drink that takes just a few minutes to make. It's perfect for a hot summer day and is a delicious way to enjoy sake!

    Grapefruit Honey Sake Cocktail and Skylar perfume.

    Fall is just around the corner, but I am savoring every bit of summer with good cocktails like this Grapefruit Honey Sake Cocktail. The sweetness of the grapefruit and honey is light and refreshing and tastes like sunshine feels. I use Hakutsuru Sayuri Nigori sake, which adds a creamy flavor without overpowering the citrus base. This specific sake is soft and floral with hints of white grape and flowers that add a beautiful and lush element to the drink.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Top Tip
    • Related Recipes
    • Did You Like this Recipe?
    • 📖 Recipe
    Grapefruit Honey Sake Cocktail in glass.

    Ingredients

    • Sugar - Sugar is added to the rim for extra sweetness.
    • Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice - Grapefruit juice is tart and slightly bitter and pairs deliciously with the sake.
    • Sake - Hakutsuru Sayuri Nigori sake is a soft and florally noted sake. It's light flavor means it won't overpower the other flavors in the drink.
    • Honey - Honey balances the tartness and bitterness of the grapefruit base.
    • Grapefruit - Used for garnish and extra grapefruit flavor.
    • Ice Cubes - Large ice cubes are the best for sake cocktails on the rocks, as they slow the dilution rate.
    • Thyme - Thyme provides an earthy and minty garnish.

    Instructions

    1. Sugar coat the rim - Pour the sugar onto a plate.  Take two glasses and wet the rim with a grapefruit wedge.  Turn each glass rim-side down onto the plate of sugar and turn the glass until the rim is evenly coated with sugar.
    2. Mix grapefruit juice and honey - In a small pitcher, add the grapefruit juice and honey.  Stir until the honey is incorporated.  Add ice to the glasses and pour the grapefruit juice in each glass.
    3. Add sake - Top the glasses with a half cup of sake each and stir.  
    4. Garnish and enjoy - Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and sprig of thyme then serve.
    Grapefruit Honey Sake Cocktails flatlay.

    Substitutions

    • Lemonade - Use lemonade instead of grapefruit juice for a tarter drink. Adjust sugar accordingly since lemonade is usually sweetened.
    • Orange juice - Use orange juice and slices instead of grapefruit juice and slices if you prefer the taste of orange to grapefruits.
    • Cranberry juice - Use cranberry juice if you want a sweeter and slightly more sourly flavored cocktail.
    • Junmai Sake - Replace Nigori sake with Junmai sake for a more intense and fuller bodied sake. Junmai means “pure rice” and the ingredients are Japanese rice, water, yeast and Koji with no additives.
    • Simple Syrup - Add sugar syrup if you want to make this drink extra sweet.

    Variations

    • Less sweet - Omit the extra quarter cup of sugar for a purer and less sweet cocktail.
    • Cocktail Shaker - While this recipe doesn't require a cocktail shaker, you can use this method to ensure that the ingredients are evenly mixed. In a shaker, add the sake, honey, and 4 large ice cubes. Shake for about 30 seconds.
    • Ginger - Add grated ginger for a slightly peppery and sweet flavor.
    • Mint leaves - Add fresh mint leaves for more fresh and earthy flavor.
    • Lemon or lime juice - Add lime or lemon juice if you want to make this drink more tart.

    Storage

    Store this grapefruit cocktail in the refrigerator in an airtight glass bottle for up to 3 days. When you are ready to drink it again, garnish the glasses as mentioned above and enjoy.

    This drink doesn't stand up well to freezing.

    Top Tip

    Chill your glasses ahead of time - Chill your glasses in the fridge before serving the cocktails. Chilled cocktail glasses will ensure the cocktail remains cool and the ice melts slower.

    Related Recipes

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      Fall Sangria with Apple and Pumpkin Spice
    • Satsuma Pomegranate Paloma with Fresh Fruit - The Heirloom Pantry
      Satsuma Pomegranate Paloma
    • Pineapple Watermelon Summer Sangria in glass and pitcher.
      Fruity Summer Sangria with Pineapple & Watermelon
    • Green tea shot with homemade sweet and sour mix and Japanese whisky.
      How to Make a Green Tea Shot

    Did You Like this Recipe?

    Love this grapefruit sake cocktail recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment below.

    Sign up for THP's newsletter and keep in touch on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and YouTube. If you make this drink recipe, tag #theheirloompantry so we can see your sake cocktail!

    📖 Recipe

    Grapefruit Honey Sake Cocktail in glasses and Skylar perfume.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 5 votes

    Grapefruit Honey Sake Cocktail

    Grapefruit Honey Sake Cocktail is a bright and refreshing drink that takes just a few minutes to make. It's perfect for a hot summer day and is a delicious way to enjoy sake!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time10 minutes mins
    Course: Cocktail, Drinks
    Cuisine: Japanese
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 275kcal
    Author: Kathleen Higashiyama

    Equipment

    • 1 knife
    • 1 cutting board
    • 1 pitcher
    • 1 glasses

    Ingredients 

    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 3 cups fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
    • 1 cup sake
    • 4 tablespoon honey
    • ice
    • grapefruit cut into small wedges for garnish
    • 2 sprigs of thyme for garnish
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Sugar coat the rim - Pour the sugar onto a plate. Take two glasses and wet the rim with a grapefruit wedge. Turn each glass rim-side down onto the plate of sugar and turn the glass until the rim is evenly coated with sugar.
      ¼ cup sugar, grapefruit
    • Mix grapefruit juice and honey - In a small pitcher, add the grapefruit juice and honey. Stir until the honey is incorporated. Add ice to the glasses and pour the grapefruit juice in each glass.
      3 cups fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, ice, 4 tablespoon honey
    • Add sake - Top the glasses with a half cup of sake each and stir.
      1 cup sake
    • Garnish and enjoy - Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and sprig of thyme then serve.
      2 sprigs of thyme

    Notes

    Storage
    • Refrigerate this grapefruit cocktail in an airtight glass bottle for up to 3 days. When you are ready to drink it again, garnish the glasses as mentioned above and enjoy. This drink doesn't stand up well to freezing.
    Top Tip
    • Chill your glasses ahead of time in the fridge before serving the cocktails. Chilled glasses will ensure the cocktail remains cool and the ice melts slower.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 316mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 36IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theheirloompantry or tag #theheirloompantry!

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    About the Author

    Kat Higashiyama and Alec Totto are recipe developers, food photographers, and the authors behind The Heirloom Pantry. Since 2017, they have shared recipes inspired by their Japanese and Italian heritage and California and Hawaii roots. They reside in San Jose with their two dogs, Peeps and Paisley. Read More…

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. David

      October 18, 2021 at 9:36 am

      5 stars
      Just enjoyed this yesterday afternoon, so refreshing!

      Reply
    5 from 5 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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    Alec and Kat with Paisley and Peeps on the beach

    We're Kat and Alec, the culinary duo behind The Heirloom Pantry, where family recipes from our Italian and Japanese heritage meet fresh California ingredients and Hawaiian sunshine. Our chef-tested dishes help you conquer weeknights and wow guests with effortless entertaining. Join us on this delicious journey – let's cook up confidence, together!

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