This grapefruit cordial recipe is wonderful served with soda (add a little tequila for a tangy cocktail) or even drizzled over your favourite citrus muffins, cakes or loaves.
When I planted my home orchard, I planted a ruby grapefruit and a golden grapefruit. I stupidly didn’t tag them or note which one I had planted where, so of course when one of them died I didn’t know which to replace. In the end I didn’t replace it but have ended up with a very productive golden grapefruit that produces plenty of fruit for me to make a few batches of Grapefruit Marmalade, to have half a grapefruit for breakfast over the winter and to share some with the delightful little Silvereyes that come into my bird feeding station in my garden. This year there were so many grapefruit that I started to think about making a grapefruit cordial in the same way as I do with my lemons and limes.
2 cups freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 tbsp citric acid*
1 tbsp tartaric acid*
Bring the water and sugar to the boil in a saucepan. Add grapefruit juice and simmer gently for a few minutes.
Take off saucepan off the heat, stir in citric acid and tartaric acid, then pour into hot sterilised bottles and seal.
To serve: use 1/3 cordial to 2/3 plain or sparkling water – or to taste.
* Note: citric and tartaric acids might sound nasty but both are natural products commonly found at the supermarket. Citric acid is a natural preservative that also enhances citrus flavour. Tartaric acid is used to give a sour taste and is also an antioxidant.
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- Grapefruit
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- Squeeze grapefruit
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- Bring sugar and water to boil
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- Add grapefruit juice and simmer
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- Citric acid & tartaric acid
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- Pour into bottles & seal
Hello, this looks delicious. How long will it keep please?
Thanks
Anne
Mine lasted several months: I made it during winter and gave them away as Christmas presents.
Hi! Quetion: should the grapefruit cordial be less pronounced than the lime? I just finished and there’s not a lot of flavor. I’m not sure if perhaps the grapefruits are not flavorful – I should have tested them.
Regardless, for someone who doesn’t enjoy cooking or baking, this was a lot of fun. Kind of like whipping up a potion for Halloween. 😀
I’m so pleased that you had fun making this recipe – be warned that making things can become addictive :-).
Grapefruit does have a softer sweeter flavour than lime – I hope you enjoy it.
Love making this cordial. My husband can’t eat grapefruit anymore due to reflux and we have a ton of fruit on the tree, even after giving them away. He loves this cordial and it doesn’t cause him any issues. I offered the grandkids (3 & 5) this cordial or raspberry (shop bought) cordial. They go for this one every time. Thanks for the recipe.
I am so pleased to hear that – thank you for sharing!
Hi , this is a great recipe & my husband takes a 1.5 litre water bottle to his job site everyday with a little of your grapefruit cordial mixed through. Very refreshing for a thirsty tradie on hot sunny days here in Blenheim.
Thanks for sharing, I’m off to make some more 🙂
Thanks for sharing that Cindy! I’m so pleased it is being enjoyed.
Hello just checking is it 1 tablespoon of citric and tartaric acid. Your lemon lime cordial says 1 teaspoon?
You can adjust it to taste. My grapefruit is a bit sweeter than the lemon/lime combination so the extra acidity helps balance it out. The overall quantity is a bit more too. Start with a teaspoon first if you like and adjust.
Thanks Sue for your quick response. I have quote a number of ruby red grapefruits on my tree. Will give it a go on the weekend