This Cinnamon Grapefruit Tequila Sour cocktail is full of flavor and spice. The tequila, grapefruit, and cinnamon blend perfectly for a sophisticated and delicious craft cocktail.
If you like margaritas, love tequila, or just love craft cocktails in general then this Grapefruit Cinnamon Tequila Sour needs to be on your list of drinks to make.
You do need to make the cinnamon syrup ahead of time, but it's easy and totally worth it. And the cinnamon simple syrup is great in other things like apple cider, hot toddies, and more!
What is a Tequila Sour?
The sour cocktail has been around for a long time and it consists of liquor, sweetener, and citrus juice. So a tequila sour has tequila, lime or lemon juice, and simple syrup or sugar.
Some sour cocktail recipes also add an egg white (or an alternative, see below) to create that beautiful and luxurious foam on top. My version of a tequila sour takes it one step further with grapefruit and lime juice and a cinnamon syrup that makes this drink like no other.
Ingredients Needed to Make a Cinnamon Grapefruit Tequila Sour
-Tequila
To make a tequila cocktail you will need tequila. I used silver tequila for this cocktail because I like how it mixes with citrus and you can find 100% agave silver tequila for a decent price. But, as with all homemade cocktails, you can use your tequila of choice!
-Citrus Juice
Speaking of citrus you will need grapefruit juice and lime juice. Grapefruit and tequila were meant to be together. And lime and tequila have been friends for a long time. The lime juice also helps balance out the sweetness of the cinnamon syrup.
-Cinnamon Syrup
Cinnamon syrup is so easy to make and once you have it on hand, you can use it for so many things! Check out my full recipe for Cinnamon Simple Syrup. You will need sugar, water, and cinnamon sticks.
-Egg White
The reason egg white is used in a cocktail is to add texture to the drink. No, your drink will not taste eggy, I promise.
When you shake an egg white with cocktail ingredients, it loosens the proteins to create foam and change the texture of the drink. It will become more smooth and almost creamy in texture.
-Cinnamon Stick
The cinnamon stick will be your garnish and you don't want to skip this ingredient. Not only does the cinnamon add a beautiful presentation, but the aroma and flavor of the freshly ground cinnamon also take this cocktail from good to great. To grate a cinnamon stick you just need a handheld grater.
Egg White Alternative for Cocktails
If you are not comfortable with adding an egg white or do not want to use egg, you can substitute with aquafaba. Aquafaba is the “bean liquid” usually from garbanzo beans/chickpeas.
It’s gluten-free and dairy-free and an excellent alternative for people with an egg allergy, who don’t consume eggs, or who do not want to use raw egg white. Simply substitute 1-2 tablespoon of aquafaba for 1 egg white.
You don’t have to add egg white to this cocktail. I personally like the foam it creates and it makes this cocktail so pretty.
Not everyone is comfortable adding egg white to their drink, and that’s ok! See my notes in the recipe card on the USDA comments on egg whites in the recipe.
Tools Needed To Make A Tequila Sour
To blend all of these ingredients together and create that beautiful foam on top, you will need a cocktail shaker.
It’s also very important to correctly measure your ingredients when making a cocktail. If you eyeball it, you will not be happy with your results. Try this set for all of your measuring needs.
When making a cocktail with egg white or aquafaba, you will need a fine-mesh strainer to achieve that beautiful foam on top.
All you need to grate a cinnamon stick for garnish is a handheld grater like the one below.
More Cocktail Recipes You Might Like
- Peach Whiskey Sour
- Gin Tiki Cocktail
- Grapefruit Elderflower Margarita
- The Last Word Cocktail
- Blueberry Lavender Cocktail
- Strawberry Elderflower Liqueur Cocktail
Cinnamon Grapefruit Tequila Sour
Equipment
- small saucepan for syrup
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce cinnamon syrup
- 1 large egg white (or 1-ounce aquafaba)
- cinnamon stick (grated for garnish)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and dry shake (no ice) for 8-10 seconds.
- Add fresh ice and shake again until nice and cold.
- Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a cocktail glass. Garnish with freshly grated cinnamon from the stick. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute 1-2 tablespoon of aquafaba for eggwhite in this cocktail. You can also omit the egg white altogether if you do not want to add it.
- If you prefer a sweeter drink, add more syrup. And if you prefer your cocktails less sweet, add a little more lime juice.
- *The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) considers it safe to use raw eggs if they are pasteurized. Bottom Line: Raw eggs may contain a type of pathogenic bacteria called Salmonella, which can cause food poisoning. However, the risk of an egg being contaminated is quite low. Please proceed at your own risk and decide if you are ok with this. I have never had an issue.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Did you Make This Cocktail?
If you make this Tequila Sour Cocktail, don’t forget to leave a review below. You can also tag and follow me on Instagram or Facebook.
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Dennis Littley says
I made your cocktail for guests yesterday and they absolutely loved them!
Emily says
Awesome! Thanks for using my recipe to impress your guests!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
I had my first whiskey sour this past summer and loved it. These tequila sours sound fabulous!
Emily says
Sours are such a classic cocktail. You will love this one too, I know it!
Sue says
I love everything listed in this recipe but never would have thought to combine them all in one glass. Grapefruit and cinnamon? It sounded strange. . . but interesting! I'm so glad I tried this! What amazing complexity this has. This is my new favorite drink!
Emily says
I'm so glad you gave it a try! Sometimes cocktail combos sound strange but end up being amazing. Think Paloma...that's a classic grapefruit and tequila drink that's been around forever.
Andrea White says
what a fun drink! so refreshing!
Emily says
Thanks, Andrea!
Ramona says
~Delicious indeed, I will make it again for Christmas.
Emily says
This is the perfect unique cocktail for the holidays. Enjoy!
Meryl says
Oh wow these were so good! Will be making these again!
Emily says
Oh good, I'm so glad you liked it!
Addie says
Such a unique and delicious flavor combo!
Emily says
I totally agree, thanks for trying it!
Alexandra says
Cheers to this delicious drink!
Emily says
Cheers!🥂
Melinda says
What a refreshing drink, love the flavors and the zing of the grapefruit.
Emily says
Thanks for giving it a try, Melinda!
Oscar says
Looks great. Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Gina says
I definitely didn't think cinnamon and grapefruit would go so well together but this is a seriously delicious drink!
Emily says
The flavors do seem a little odd at first but once you get them all together it's an amazing combo!
Catherine says
This looks so yummy!
Swathi says
Cinnamon tequila sour looks delicious
Emily says
Thanks, Swathi!
Lisa Grant says
WHAT A FABULOUS COCKTAIL. i LOVE SOURS AND TEQUILA!
Emily says
Thanks, Lisa! This sounds like the cocktail for you!
Kushigalu says
Love the flavor combination here. New and refreshing.
Emily says
Thanks, Kushigalu! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!