A refreshing grapefruit cocktail made with black tea, simple syrup and bourbon. This easy to make cocktail is refreshing, vibrant and so tasty. Highly customizable so anyone can enjoy it, sip on this grapefruit bourbon ice tea any time of the year!
Boy, do I love a good bourbon drink! Actually, bourbon used to be my favorite (do not tell my bff, Prosecco). That was until Gabe ruined it by making me WAY too many bourbon cocktails when we first started dating.
Now Bourbon is the old friend I enjoy seeing, but if it overstays its welcome, I want to push it out off the bar.
So, that is a little short version of why a bourbon cocktail has not been on my blog for some time. Not because I do not love Bourbon, (in fact, this Peach Bourbon Sweet Tea is one of my favorites still) but because too much is never a good thing.
You can be certain that this Bourbon cocktail is extremely customizable for any bourbon lover, bourbon hater or someone slowly getting back into the bourbon game after dying a few times from too boozy of bourbon drinks.
You can add as much simple syrup as you like, or you can cut the sugar if you do not enjoy it. The grapefruit heightens the flavor of the black tea, making it taste more refreshing, while the bourbon adds a very relaxing vibe.
Why Is This Grapefruit Bourbon Ice Tea Fool Proof?
Customizable - This grapefruit bourbon ice tea drink is SO customizable. Want it on the sweeter side? Perfect, add another shot of the simple syrup. Do not like added sugar to drinks? That is fine too, take out a shot of the simple syrup. Do you like it boozier? Add more bourbon. This is drink is so easy to vibe with just about any taste! You may also add more grapefruit juice if you are dying for more sunshine!
Easy Steps- This grapefruit cocktail is so simple to make. It requires three easy steps and very little time. Let's just say, it is easier than your easy mac. If you know how to boil water, you can make this cocktail and impress all your friends with a homemade simple syrup.
Simple Ingredients- This cocktail is made with only 5 ingredients ! And guess what?! I bet you already have them in your fridge (and if you do not, they are easily found at the grocery store).
Ingredients For This Boozy Tea
To make this Grapefruit Bourbon Ice Tea, you will need the following ingredients: black tea bags; sugar in the raw; grapefruit; bourbon; and water. You may also want to use rosemary as a garnish!
Tips For Making This Grapefruit Bourbon Ice Tea
This drink requires a *little* more steps than my usual cocktails, but what more can you do when you are brewing tea and making your own simple syrup?
First, brew your black tea. Let it seep for 10 minutes then place it in the fridge for 15-30 minutes (until it cools).
While your tea is steeping, making the simple syrup. Cut ½ grapefruit (keep the other half for garnishes) and place it in a sauce pan. Add your sugar and water then heat over medium heat. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove from burner. Place in the fridge to cool for 15 minutes. Once cooled, remove grapefruit.
Add your ice tea, simple syrup and bourbon into a cup and stir! Option to add a shot of grapefruit juice. Also, option to garnish with grapefruit slices and rosemary.
Frequently Asked Questions
That is so simple! Simply skip the bourbon.
Totally, I have made this with peaches, as well as apples and oranges.
Yes, you may use vodka, gin, tequila! I have yet to try it with anything else.
I have yet to try this recipe with anything than regular sugar. I assume any sugar imitation would work well, so long as it is in the same form of real sugar.
Feeling Thirsty?
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Fool Proof Grapefruit Bourbon Ice Tea
Ingredients
Black Tea
- 4 cups water
- 4 black tea bags
Simple Syrup
- 4 -5 slices grapefruit
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ cup sugar
Cocktail
- 1 oz bourbon
- 2 oz ice tea
- 2 to 4 oz simple syrup depending on taste
- Ice
- Rosemary optional garnish
- Extra grapefruit juice optional
- Grapefruit slices optional garnish
Instructions
- Brew black tea, allow it to steep for 10 minutes then place it in the fridge to cool for 15 minutes.
- While the black tea is steeping, begin making simple syrup.
- Add sugar, water and grapefruit to a sauce pan on medium stirring periodically.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and transport into a heat resistant container. Cool in fridge for 15 minutes.
- Once both have cooled, make your drink!
- Add 1 oz of bourbon, 2 oz of ice tea and 2 oz of simple syrup. If this is not sweet enough for you, add another oz of simple syrup. Stir then fill glass to rim with ice.
- Option to add ½ oz of grapefruit juice to the drink to add a little tartness.
- Option to garnish with rosemary and/or grapefruit slices.
This sounds absolutely incredible! I cannot wait to try!
Thank you, Kim!
Oh my gosh this sounds amazing ... I'm not typically a bourbon person but combined with the iced tea and grapefruit I feel like this is going to be AMAZING!!
Thank you so much! The ice tea really harmonizes well with the bourbon to help ease the strongness of it