This bubbly cocktail—which pairs the bittersweet flavor of grapefruit with sparkling sake and botanical gin—is best when served very cold. Keep your gin, sake, and sparkling water in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and serve. We like using SummerFall sake because of its high levels of carbonation and light drinkability; if your sake is more on the sweet, syrupy end of the spectrum, you might want to add a touch more sparkling water to balance it out.
While cocktails that contain simple syrup are often shaken, we found that the process diluted the delicate gin and citrus flavors too much; a quick stir is enough to homogenize your base before adding the fizzy elements. To make a big batch of these drinks, combine the grapefruit, lemon, simple syrup, and gin up to three hours in advance, then divide over ice and top with the sake and seltzer to serve.
Recipe information
Total Time
5 minutes
Yield
6 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Heat ¼ cup sugar and ¼ cup water in a small saucepan over medium, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute. Let simple syrup cool.
Step 2
Vigorously stir 3 oz. chilled gin, 2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice, 1 oz. fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and a large pinch of kosher salt in a tall glass to combine. Divide among 6 ice-filled rocks glasses and pour 2 oz. chilled sparkling sake into each. Top off with chilled sparkling water and garnish each cocktail with a 1 grapefruit twist.
Do Ahead: Simple syrup can be made 1 month ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.
Recipe notes
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