Grapefruit Pisco Collins

Name: Grapefruit Pisco Collins
Prep time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 oz Pisco; 0.75 oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed); 0.5 oz simple syrup; 2 slices fresh grapefruit; 1.5 oz soda water; grapefruit slices and mint sprig (for garnish)

By Sina Torner / Last updated on March 20, 2023

The Pisco Collins Cocktail is another member of the Collins Family. And when you mix it with grapefruit, you get a twist that's even more refreshing.

The Pisco Collins falls in line with the many other new variations of the Collins Cocktail Family, like the Pepito Collins (made with Tequila) or the Sandy Collins (made with Scotch).

This Pisco Collins is a refreshing, citrusy concoction, perfect for a hot summer day. The addition of grapefruit brings in extra freshness and some bitter notes.

What are Collins Cocktails?

Collins Cocktails all follow the same template of ingredients: a base spirit, lemon juice, syrup, and soda water.

The first Collins Cocktail documented was the John Collins in the early 1800s, followed by the Tom Collins. Both are made with different types of Gin.

The general approach is quite similar to a Gin Fizz, and the ingredients are, in fact, the same. But Collins Cocktails are served and prepared differently.

Over the past two centuries, more and more Collins Cocktails developed, all following the same formula.

If you want to know more about this type of drink, there's a whole article about the Collins Cocktail Family.

Ingredients of the Grapefruit Pisco Collins

It goes without saying that this variation of the Pisco Collins also follows the template mentioned above: spirit base, syrup, lemon, and soda. But the grapefruit component adds a nice twist to the basic approach.

Pisco

Pisco is a grape spirit native to Peru and Chile. It usually tastes fruity and relatively smooth. -Especially when compared to grape spirits like Grappa, which has a strong alcoholic bite.

Peruvian Pisco and Chilean Pisco are not exactly the same. But in cocktails like this Grapefruit Pisco Collins, the differences are negligible.

Generally, the alcohol content of most Piscos ranges between 38 and 48%, quite similar to other popular spirit bases for Collins Cocktails.

If you want to try Peruvian Pisco, Cuatro Gallos is a brand I can recommend. Alto de Carmen is a great choice for the Pisco Collins when you look for a Chilean Pisco.

Grapefruit in the Pisco Collins

Since this Pisco Collins should not end up tasting more like lemonade than a cocktail, you only need a little bit of fresh grapefruit juice.

It's enough to take two slices of grapefruit and muddle them in your shaker. Also, for a pretty visual effect, you can add fresh grapefruit slices to your glass.

Lemon, syrup, and soda

The other three ingredients - lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water- remain the same as in the classic John Collins cocktail.

As with the grapefruit, you need fresh fruit for the lemon juice. Otherwise, your Pisco Collins will fall flat. Using only freshly squeezed citrus juice is one of the basic rules in mixology.

The simple syrup, on the other hand, can be store-bought. However, it's also very easy to make your own at home. All you need is equal parts sugar and water and 30 minutes time.

The soda water should be fresh and not open too long before mixing the cocktail. To get the perfect Pisco Collins, you need proper effervescence.

Other Cocktails with Grapefruit

If you have some spare grapefruits after mixing the Pisco Collins, here are some other drinks you can mix with the bittersweet, pink fruit:

Try the Mezcal Paloma, a smoky twist on the classic Margarita that is just as refreshing as the Collins Cocktails. Another Mexican classic is the Cantarito made with different citrus fruit and Tequila.

Or, if you look for something a little sweeter and less boozy, the Sea Breeze Cocktail is a beautiful option. It's a mix of Vodka, grapefruit, and cranberry.