With only 3 ingredients, this grapefruit simple syrup recipe is super easy to make and a delicious little flavor bomb that will take your cocktails, desserts, or salad dressings, to the next level.

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Article Overview: Recipe for Grapefruit Simple Syrup

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WTF is Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup, as the name suggests, is a basic syrup made by combining equal parts sugar and water. It’s a versatile liquid sweetener commonly used in both the kitchen and behind the bar. The simplicity of its recipe allows it to easily dissolve in both cold and hot liquids, making it an ideal sweetener for beverages, cocktails, and desserts.

We’re just making a basic grapefruit simple syrup, but there’s a whole world of sugar syrups out there. If thats something you’re into, click here to learn about demerara syrup, rich simple syrup, gomme syrup and all things simple syrup.

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Grapefruit Simple Syrup Recipe

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Grapefruit Simple Syrup Recipe Equipment

Here’s what you’ll need to make this grapefruit simple syrup recipe. Nothing too crazy, you should already have everything you need in the kitchen.

• Pot: You’ll boil everything together in a pot, on a stovetop.
• Vegetable Peeler: If you don’t want to supreme your grapefruit, use a vegetable peeler to get the grapefruit peel you’ll need.
• Sieve: You’ll need a cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve to strain out the grapefruit peel and pulp. If you don’t have one, its not a dealbreaker, you just might end up with pulpy grapefruit simple syrup.
• Jar: Store your grapefruit simple syrup in a glass jar or any air tight container.

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Grapefruit Simple Syrup Recipe Ingredients

Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this grapefruit simple syrup recipe. You should be able to easily find everything you need at your local supermarket.

• Grapefruit: Save the actual fruit for a yogurt parfait or an avocado salad, all you need for this grapefruit simple syrup recipe is the peel. Yup, theres enough sweet tarty goodness in the peel to flavor the grapefruit simple syrup.

• Sugar: Super fine sugar dissolves easiest when making simple syrups, but since we’re infusing grapefruit with the use of heat, it’s totally fine to use granulated sugar. It’ll dissolve easily in the hot water.

• Water: 1 to 1 ratio with the sugar.

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Best Grapefruits For Simple Syrup

There are several different varieties of grapefruits, each with its own distinct flavor profile. Some of the most common grapefruit varieties include:

• Ruby Red Grapefruit: Ruby Red grapefruits are known for their deep red or pink flesh and sweet, slightly tart flavor. They are one of the more sweeter grapefruit varieties and are less bitter than other types, making for a good balanced simple syrup. Ruby Reds are the most readily available grapefruit in the states and our preferred grapefruit for this recipe.
• Pink Grapefruit: Pink grapefruits have pink to reddish-pink flesh and a flavor profile that falls between Ruby Red and White grapefruits. They are sweeter than white grapefruits but not as sweet as Ruby Red grapefruits, with a pleasant balance of sweetness and tartness. Another great option for simple syrup.
• White Grapefruit: White grapefruits have pale yellow to white flesh and a more traditional grapefruit flavor. They are moderately sweet with a characteristic tangy and slightly bitter taste.

The choice is yours, you can’t really go wrong, it just depends on how bitter you want your simple syrup to be.

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How to Make Grapefruit Simple Syrup

Follow these step by step instructions to make this grapefruit simple syrup recipe. It’s super simple and should take you around half an hour to make it.

Step 1: Peel Grapefruit

Supreme a grapefruit. Or use a vegetable peeler to remove the peel and pith all the way down to the flesh of the grapefruit. Reserve the actual fruit for another time*, you’ll only need the peel for this grapefruit simple syrup recipe.

Step 2: Combine, Mash, & Simmer

Toss your grapefruit peel into a medium pot or saucepan, along with the sugar and the water. Stir while bringing the mixture to a boil, and then immediately turn heat down to a simmer.

Use the back of a spoon or a potato masher to smash the grapefruit peel and release more of the flavors. Simmer for 25-30 minutes.

Step 3: Simmer & Strain

Line a sieve with a cheesecloth and pour the grapefruit simple syrup mixture through. Use the back of a spoon to help push all the juices into a bowl underneath the sieve.

Return the liquid back to the pot on the stove and simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Step 4: Cool & Transfer

Let the completed grapefruit simple syrup cool to room temperature before transferring it to an air tight container, preferably a glass jar. Discard the grapefruit pulp.

Store your grapefruit simple syrup in the fridge, or use immediately. Enjoy!

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How to Use Grapefruit Simple Syrup

Grapefruit simple syrup is sweet and pleasantly tart, and it pairs splendidly with a slew of stuff. Here are some fun ways you can use your homemade simple syrup.

• Grapefruit Lemonade: Since grapefruits are generally a winter fruit and lemonade is more of a summer drink, clash the two worlds and make this season defying refreshing beverage.

• Paloma: A Paloma is like a breezy Mexican sunset in a glass, with the harmonious blend of tequila’s warmth, the zesty embrace of freshly squeezed lime juice, and the effervescent burst of grapefruit simple syrup. You don’t need to be in Mexico to enjoy these babies.

• Grapefruit Vanilla Ice Cream: Drizzle some grapefruit simple syrup over the top of a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream and you’ll be in mouth puckering heaven.

These are just a few ideas, the possibilities are endless!

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How to Store Grapefruit Simple Syrup

Properly storing homemade simple syrup ensures its longevity and maintains its flavor. After making the syrup, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a clean, airtight container. Glass jars with secure screw top lids or food grade plastic containers work best for this purpose. 

If kept in the fridge in an air tight container, the syrup should keep its potency for 2 weeks.

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