It’s Labor Day weekend! Typically, that is an indicator that Summer is drawing to a close. But it sure has not felt that way here in the Midwest this past week! Weather-wise, it has been hot & steamy, more like mid-July conditions than the tail end of Summer. With that in mind, my cocktail choice for celebrations this weekend has more of a summer-y feel to it than an Autumn, end-of-Summer feel, in spite of pumpkin spice everything already being available.

This cocktail is a crush drink. That means that it is made with fresh squeezed juice, in this case grapefruit juice. Usually, we would pick up the whole fruit and extract the liquid ourselves, but our local grocery store has a wonderful selection of freshly squeezed juices in large quantities which makes it a whole lot quicker, easier, and less expensive to prepare of pitcher of cocktails. The original recipe called for lemon-lime soda which we traded out for tonic water to avoid the excess sugar found in soda. This cocktail is perfect for celebrations all Summer long, including this holiday weekend!

Grapefruit Crush Cocktail

Grapefruit Crush Cocktail (adapted from onceuponachef.com) Total Time Required: 10 minutes, Prep Time: 10 minutes

Makes: 2 drinks

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce triple sec
• 1/2 cup tonic water
• grapefruit slices, lemon and lime strips, or wedges, for garnish

Directions:

Pour the grapefruit juice, vodka, and triple sec into a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake vigorously.

Pour the juice, vodka, and Triple Sec into a cocktail shaker.

Strain into a cocktail glass half filled with ice. Top with the tonic water and garnish with a grapefruit slice, lemon and lime strips, or wedges. Serve Immediately.

Strain into cocktail glasses, garnish & serve.

We’re holding onto Summer a bit longer with this light and refreshing cocktail!  ~Linda

Grapefruit Crush Cocktail ( adapted from onceuponachef.com) Total Time Required: 10 minutes, Prep Time: 10 minutes, Makes: 2 drinks

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce triple sec
• 1/2 cup tonic water
• grapefruit slices, lemon and lime strips, or wedges, for garnish

Directions:

Pour the grapefruit juice, vodka, and triple sec into a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake vigorously, then the drink strain into a cocktail glass half filled with ice. Top with the tonic water and garnish with a grapefruit slice, lemon and lime strips, or wedges.