• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Heirloom Pantry

  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Brunch
    • Dinner
    • Dogs
    • Dressings and Sauces
    • Drinks
    • Main Course
    • Pasta
    • Sides
    • Soups and Stews
    • Sweets
  • ENTERTAINING
  • Lifestyle
  • SHOP
    • Shop Our Kitchen
    • Amazon Shop
    • Promotions & Codes
  • About
    • Bio
    • Connect
    • The Heirloom Pantry Newsletter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Winter Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • Promotions
  • Follow Along

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Winter Recipes
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Promotions
  • Follow Along

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    The Heirloom Pantry » Recipe Index » Drinks

    Grapefruit Honey Sake Cocktail

    Published: Aug 30, 2019 · Modified: Jul 9, 2022 by Kathleen Higashiyama · The following content may contain affiliate links. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.

    400 shares
    • Share6
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top Tip
    • Did You Like This Recipe?
    • Grapefruit Honey Sake Cocktail
    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.

    Equipment

    This sake cocktail recipe requires a few common kitchen essentials. You will need a knife, cutting board, pitcher, and glasses.

    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.

    Did You Like This Recipe?

    If you loved this sake cocktail recipe, please rate and comment below! For more mixed drink and cocktail recipes like this, check out:

    • Fall Sangria
    • Satsuma Pomegranate Paloma
    • Pineapple Watermelon Sangria
    • Green Tea Shot

    If you would like this drink to accompany dinner, check out these delicious Japanese dinner recipes:

    • Chicken Katsu (Japanese Chicken Cutlet)
    • Uni Pasta (Sea Urchin Cacio e Pepe)
    • Baked Furikake Salmon with Kewpie Mayo
    • Spicy Ahi Poke (Spicy Tuna Bowl)
    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 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Cocktail, Drinks
    Cuisine: Japanese
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 275kcal
    Author: Kathleen Higashiyama

    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

    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.
    • 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.
    • Add sake - Top the glasses with a half cup of sake each and stir.
    • Garnish and enjoy - Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and sprig of thyme then serve.

    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
    Keyword: cocktail, cocktail sake, cocktails with sake, drink, grapefruit, grapefruit cocktail, honey, honey cocktail, mixed drink, sake, sake cocktail, sake drink, sake mixed drink
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theheirloompantry or tag #theheirloompantry!

    More Drinks

    • Blackberry Strawberry Banana Smoothie
    • How to Make Iced Coffee at Home
    • How to Make Caramel Syrup for Coffee
    • How to Make Caramel Iced Coffee

    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

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Alec and Kat with Paisley and Peeps on the beach

    Welcome! We're Kat and Alec, the recipe developers, food photographers, and authors behind The Heirloom Pantry. Here you'll find approachable elevated recipes, thoughtful entertaining tips, and sustainability practices you can weave into your everyday routine.

    More about us →

    Winter Recipes

    • Parmesan Frico (Cheese Crisps)
    • Creamy Parmesan Polenta with Cheese Crisps
    • Gluten-Free Ramen with Miso Chicken
    • How to Make Chocolate Covered Pretzels
    • 25 Simple & Easy Japanese Recipes
    • How to Make Chocolate Covered Oreos

    As Featured In

    The Heirloom Pantry As Featured In

    Popular Recipes

    • 15 Best Salmon Side Dishes
    • How to Make Beef Bone Broth for Dogs
    • Spicy Kewpie Mayo (Sauce for Poke, Sushi, and More)
    • Glowing Skin Green Juice
    • Baked Furikake Salmon with Kewpie Mayo
    • Matcha Cookies (Soft and Chewy)
    The Heirloom Pantry shop page.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Recipes

    About

    Shop

    Contact

    Privacy Policy

    Effortless Recipes

    Signup for new recipes, kitchen tips, and more!

    You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    Copy-of-The-Heirloom-Pantry-Typography-Logo

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 The Heirloom Pantry, LLC®