Mix the Perfect Ruby: Cocktail Recipes to Dazzle Your Guests

The “Ruby” cocktail, known for its vibrant color and refreshing taste, offers a delightful experience for any occasion. Whether you prefer a classic recipe or a modern twist, this guide explores a variety of “ruby cocktail recipes” to suit your palate. From vodka-based concoctions to those featuring gin, cognac, or tequila, there’s a Ruby cocktail for everyone. Let’s dive into some of the most popular and creative Ruby cocktail recipes to elevate your mixology game.

The Classic Ruby Cocktail: A Timeless Favorite

Difford’s Guide Ruby Recipe

This classic recipe from Difford’s Guide [1] provides a balanced and sophisticated take on the Ruby cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Elderflower Liqueur
• 3/4 oz Orange-Red Aperitivo
• 3/4 oz Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
• Grapefruit Zest Twist, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Pre-chill a coupe glass.
2. Prepare a grapefruit zest twist for garnish.
3. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain back into the shaker.
4. Dry shake (without ice).
5. Fine strain into the chilled glass.
6. Express the grapefruit zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Sex and the City Ruby Cocktail

As featured in “Sex and the City,” this version, promoted by the Florida Citrus Commission [7], emphasizes the fresh flavors of grapefruit.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz Fresh Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
• 3 oz Citrus Vodka
• Sugar Rim (optional)
• Grapefruit Twist, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Shake ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a sugar-rimmed, chilled martini glass.
3. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

Modern Twists on the Ruby Cocktail

Simmer + Sauce’s Ruby Cocktail

Andrea Potischman of Simmer + Sauce [5] presents a Ruby cocktail with a more complex flavor profile, incorporating Aperol and elderflower liqueur.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Aperol
• 3/4 oz Saint Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• 3/4-1 oz Freshly Squeezed Ruby Grapefruit Juice
• 3/4 oz Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
• 1 Tablespoon Pasteurized Egg White
• Grapefruit Twist, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Chill a small coupe glass in the freezer.
2. Add vodka, Aperol, Saint Germain, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and egg white to a cocktail shaker.
3. Dry shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until frothy.
4. Add a handful of ice and wet shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.
5. Double strain into the prepared cocktail glass.
6. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

OHLQ.com’s Vodka Ruby Cocktail

This recipe from OHLQ.com [6] combines vodka with a bitter red aperitif and elderflower liqueur, creating a balanced and flavorful drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Bitter Red Aperitif
• 3/4 oz Elderflower Liqueur
• 3/4 oz Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
• 3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 Tablespoon Egg White
• Expressed Grapefruit Twist, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and dry shake for 20 seconds to emulsify the ingredients and froth the egg whites.
2. Add ice and shake again until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
4. Express a grapefruit twist over the top and discard.

Ruby Cocktails with a Sparkling Touch

Maple and Thyme’s Sparkling Ruby Red Grapefruit Cocktail

This recipe from Maple and Thyme [13] is a refreshing and simple grapefruit cocktail perfect for warm weather.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz Freshly Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
• 1 Tablespoon Honey
• 2 oz Vodka
• 2 oz Aperol
• Sparkling Water
• Grapefruit Slices and Fresh Mint, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Squeeze grapefruit and mix juice with honey.
2. Stir in vodka and Aperol.
3. Pour over ice.
4. Top off with sparkling water.
5. Garnish with a grapefruit slice and a sprig of fresh mint.

Little Reesor House’s The Ruby Red

This simple and refreshing cocktail from Little Reesor House [18] is perfect for those new to cocktail making.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
• 1 Tablespoon Cointreau (or Triple Sec)
• 3/4 cup Sparkling Wine
• Ice
• Grapefruit Slice, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a lowball glass with ice.
2. Pour Ruby Red grapefruit juice over ice.
3. Slowly add Cointreau.
4. Top with sparkling wine.
5. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Ruby Cocktail Variations

Ruby Slipper Cocktail

The Ruby Slipper Cocktail [2] combines vodka with ruby red grapefruit juice and rosemary for an aromatic twist.

Ingredients:

• 3 sprigs rosemary, divided
• 2 slices grapefruit, divided
• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz Ruby Red grapefruit vodka
• 2 oz Ruby Red grapefruit juice
• 2 oz club soda
• Ice, for serving

Instructions:

1. Muddle rosemary and grapefruit.
2. Add vodka, ruby red grapefruit vodka, and ruby red grapefruit juice.
3. Top with club soda and ice.

Hot Ruby Cocktail Recipes

Hot Ruby offers several variations [4], including the “Marga Ruby Mimosa” and “Ruby on the Beach.”

Marga Ruby Mimosa Ingredients:

• 1/8 cup Tequila
• 1/4 cup Hot Ruby
• 1/8 cup Fresh Lime Juice
• Prosecco or Spumante, to top
• Lime Wedge, for garnish

Ruby on the Beach Ingredients:

• 2 oz Hot Ruby
• 2 oz Club Soda
• 1 1/2 oz Grapefruit Vodka
• 1/2 oz Malibu Rum

Instructions:

• For Marga Ruby Mimosa: Mix tequila, Hot Ruby, and lime juice. Add ice and top with Prosecco or Spumante. Garnish with a lime wedge.
• For Ruby on the Beach: Mix all ingredients and serve over ice.

Ruby Red Grapefruit Martini

The Ruby Red Grapefruit Martini [14, 15] offers a tangy and slightly bitter flavor profile.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz Campari
• 1 oz Vodka (or Ruby Red Vodka)
• 2 oz Fresh-Squeezed Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
• Lime Twist, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice.
2. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.
3. Garnish with a lime twist.

Additional Grapefruit Cocktail Options

Pampelle Grapefruit Cocktails

Pampelle [11] suggests several grapefruit-based cocktails, including the “Grapefruit Spritz,” “Salty Dog,” and “Paloma.”

Grapefruit Spritz Ingredients:

• 1 part Club Soda
• 3 parts Prosecco
• 2 parts Pampelle Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
• Grapefruit Wedge, for garnish

Salty Dog Ingredients:

• 1 part Gin
• 2 parts Fresh-Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
• Salted Rim

Paloma Ingredients:

• 1 part Tequila
• 1/2 shot Simple Syrup
• Squeeze of Lime
• 3 parts Grapefruit Soda
• Salted Rim (optional)
• Lime Wheel, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• For Grapefruit Spritz: Pour ingredients over ice in a wine glass and stir. Top with a grapefruit wedge.
• For Salty Dog: Combine gin and grapefruit juice over ice in a salted-rim highball glass.
• For Paloma: Mix tequila, simple syrup, and lime in a highball glass. Top with grapefruit soda. Add a salted rim and lime wheel for extra flair.

Other Ruby Cocktail Ideas

• Ruby Red Cocktail: Combine ruby red grapefruit juice, Absolut Ruby Red vodka, and Polar Ruby Red seltzer. Add fresh fruit for a refreshing twist [3].
• The Moon Also Shines: Mix Belle Isle Ruby Red Grapefruit moonshine, maraschino liqueur, Campari, fresh lime juice, and fresh ruby red grapefruit juice [8].
• Ruby Cocktail (INSHAKER): Combine Cognac Hennessy, apricot liqueur, grenadine syrup, and orange juice [9].
• Ruby Cocktail (Cheers@Home): Combine Cognac Park VS Carte Blanche, Giffard Curaçao Triple Sec, Campari, lemon juice, and simple syrup [10].

Tips for Making the Perfect Ruby Cocktail

• Use Fresh Ingredients: Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice makes a significant difference in the taste of your Ruby cocktail.
• Chill Your Glass: Chilling the glass helps keep the cocktail cold and refreshing.
• Experiment with Garnishes: Garnishes like grapefruit twists, wedges, or rosemary sprigs can enhance the aroma and visual appeal of your drink.
• Adjust Sweetness: Depending on your preference, adjust the amount of simple syrup or honey to balance the tartness of the grapefruit juice.
• Explore Different Spirits: While vodka is a common base, try gin, tequila, or cognac for unique flavor profiles.

By exploring these Ruby cocktail recipes and variations, you can create a dazzling array of drinks that are sure to impress your guests and elevate any occasion. Whether you prefer the simplicity of the Sex and the City Ruby or the complexity of Tony Abou-Ganim’s version, the perfect Ruby cocktail awaits your personal touch.