Southern Bride

Pro tips

• Use fresh grapefruit juice, not pre-made cocktail mixes, for bright flavor and proper balance with the gin.
• Chill your glass before serving to keep the drink cold longer without over-diluting with ice.
• Add the maraschino dash last; it's easy to overpour and overpower the delicate citrus notes.
• Shake vigorously with ice for 10–12 seconds to chill and slightly dilute, which mellows the gin's alcohol bite.

Substitutions

• fresh grapefruit juice → bottled grapefruit juice (slightly less vibrant but acceptable)
• maraschino liqueur → Luxardo maraschino (premium alternative, more complex flavor)

Equipment

cocktail shaker · jigger · strainer

Can I use a different gin?

Yes. Any London Dry or similar gin works well; the recipe's balance relies on the grapefruit juice and maraschino, so gin quality matters less than personal preference.

What does the maraschino liqueur add?

A single dash of maraschino adds subtle almond and cherry notes that round out the tartness of grapefruit and prevent the drink from tasting too sour.

Should this be served cold?

Yes. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled glass, or serve over ice. The cold temperature highlights the citrus and keeps the drink balanced.

Can I scale this recipe?

Yes. Keep the ratio of 1.5 oz gin : 1 oz grapefruit juice : 1 dash maraschino constant. One dash typically stays the same even when scaling.