Sep 04 2026

Capri Nights Recipe

Time25m
Serves1

ZESTY, TOASTED GRAPEFRUIT & TROPICAL

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Ingredients

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Cocktail

Grapefruit Syrup (makes ~6 oz)

Method

Grapefruit Syrup (prepare ahead)

  1. 1

    Combine and simmer

    In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup fresh pink grapefruit juice, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon grapefruit zest, and 1/4 cup water. Warm over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Bring to a gentle simmer for 3 minutes to concentrate flavor, then remove from heat.

  2. 2

    Steep and strain

    Let the syrup steep with the zest for 15–20 minutes off heat to extract oils, then strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean container. Cool completely and refrigerate. Yields about 6 ounces; use 1/2 ounce per cocktail.

Cocktail Assembly

  1. 3

    Prepare glass

    Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass by filling with ice water while you mix the drink, or place in freezer for 10 minutes.

  2. 4

    Toast the grapefruit wheel (optional, for aroma)

    If you want a toasted, slightly caramelized grapefruit note, sprinkle 1/2 tsp superfine sugar evenly on the grapefruit wheel. Using a culinary torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it browns and small bubbles form. Set aside on a plate to cool.

  3. 5

    Build and shake

    In a cocktail shaker, add 2 oz white rum, 1 oz fresh pink grapefruit juice, 0.5 oz fresh lime juice, 1 oz pineapple juice, 0.5 oz elderflower liqueur, 0.5 oz prepared grapefruit syrup, 0.25 oz agave syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters. Add large ice cubes, cap the shaker, and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until well-chilled and slightly diluted.

  4. 6

    Double strain and serve

    Discard ice/water from the chilled glass. Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled coupe using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer to remove ice shards and pulp, pouring gently to preserve a slight aromatic head.

  5. 7

    Garnish

    Float the toasted or raw grapefruit wheel on the surface and rest a micro cilantro or mint sprig atop it for a fresh, herbal note. If you did not caramelize the wheel, grate a tiny amount of grapefruit zest over the drink for extra aroma.

  6. 8

    Final aromatics (optional)

    Express an additional grapefruit peel over the cocktail to release oils: hold peel skin-side down about 3 inches above the drink and give it a quick snap. Serve immediately.