Grapefruit Negroni Spritz

Introducing the Grapefruit Negroni Spritz: a sophisticated take on a classic, with a fresh grapefruit twist that’s as bold as it is refined. This cocktail doesn’t just blend flavors—it blends worlds, from boardrooms to gloryholes. With a subtle hint of rosemary and the perfect balance of bitterness and citrus, it’s designed for those who are both sweet and sassy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 can Gay Water Grapefruit
  • 1 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz Campari
  • 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
  • Grapefruit peel for garnish

     

  1. Instructions:

    1. Combine gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth in a glass with ice.

    2. Stir well, then top with Gay Water Grapefruit.
    3. Garnish with a grapefruit peel twist.

why it works

a negroni is equal parts gin, campari and sweet vermouth: bitter, boozy, serious. topping it with gay water grapefruit turns it into a spritz, and grapefruit and campari are a natural match (both bitter, both a little sunny). it's the negroni for people who want one but also want to be standing in two hours.

make it for a crowd

stir the gin, campari and vermouth together in a bottle ahead of time (equal parts, as much as you need) and keep it in the fridge. pour about 2 oz per glass over ice and top with gay water grapefruit. garnish with a grapefruit peel twisted over the glass.

swaps

aperol instead of campari for something sweeter and less bitter. rosemary sprig as garnish plays nicely with the grapefruit. skip the vermouth for a lighter, more citrus-forward spritz.

serve it

a big wine glass with a lot of ice; the ice is doing real work here, keeping a boozy base cold and diluting it just enough to sip. twist the grapefruit peel over the glass before you drop it in so the oils hit the surface. this is aperitivo-hour territory: olives, salty chips, a hard cheese, the hour before dinner when nobody has anywhere to be. if it's too bitter, pull the campari back to a quarter ounce; if it's not bitter enough, you already know what to do.

gay water is 80 calories, 0 sugar and 4% abv per can, so most of the calories in any of these come from what you add. must be 21+. drink responsibly.