These simple and bittersweet Grapefruit Champagne Cocktails are a breeze to make and they showcase my favorite liquor, Campari. They are perfect to serve instead of orange juice mimosas at your weekend brunch. I think they would also make a fun drink for a ladies night, because they are pink, and because !!!bubbles!!!

Three champagne flutes filled with Grapefruit Champagne Cocktail and champagne being poured into one with a bottle of Campari in the background

Table of contents

Why We Love Grapefruit and Champagne Together

There is something deliciously quaffable about this combination of bittersweet Campari, plus the juicy bittersweet grapefruit plus the ice cold bubbly dry Prosecco! Gulp! It is super fun and unusual but thankfully only has 3 simple ingredients! Prosecco, fresh grapefruit juice and Campari. Easy peasy!

I used Prosecco instead of Champagne since this has an Italian liquor in it, but you can also use Champagne. Look for a less expensive one that says Methode Champenoise on the label. Seriously, don’t go crazy on an expensive sparkling wine here because the other ingredients will mask any subtleties that the finer sparklers have. You just want to find one that is good and dry. When in doubt ask your wine guy or gal. I always do.

Three champagne flutes filled with Grapefruit Champagne Cocktail with a bottle of Campari and a citrus juicer in the background

Key Ingredients For This Grapefruit Juice Champagne Cocktail

Ruby Red Grapefruit

Ruby red is the most popular grapefruit and is sweeter than the pink and white varieties. One ruby red grapefruit makes about a half a cup of fresh grapefruit juice.

Campari

Campari is a bright red Italian apéritif made from a proprietary blend of herbs and spices. It has a strong bittersweet flavor and is used in many different cocktails.

Champagne or Prosecco

Both are sparkling wines, but Champagne is made in France and Prosecco is Italian. Either will work in thus recipe. Just make sure to find a dry sparkling wine.

Three champagne flutes filled with Grapefruit Champagne Cocktail with a bottle of Campari and a citrus juicer in the background

Step By Step Instructions For This Recipe

Step 1: Juice the grapefruit, add remaining ingredients, stir to combine and serve.

Cut grapefruit in half. Slice one 1/4-inch slice from one half and cut that into four quarter rounds for garnish. Juice the grapefruit halves. Transfer to a glass measuring cup. Add 1 tablespoon Campari and stir to combine. Divide among four champagne flutes. Top with Champagne. Garnish with the grapefruit slices.

Three champagne flutes filled with Grapefruit Champagne Cocktail and champagne being poured into one with a bottle of Campari and a citrus juicer in the background

FAQs and Expert Tips

How much alcohol in is Champagne?

Champagne contains about 12.2% of alcohol just slightly lower than red wine, but because of the bubbles it is absorbed by the stomach faster than wine often making people feel tipsier more quickly.

Can this cocktail be made ahead?

The grapefruit juice can be squeezed ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator, but the Campari and Champagne should be added just before serving.

Is there a substitute for Campari?

Aperol is another Italian apéritif that contains less alcohol and is slightly sweeter than Campari. Or for a non alcoholic option try pomegranate juice or a few drops of bitters.

Close up of Sparkling Grapefruit Champagne Cocktail with a wedge of grapefruit on the rim of the glass

Additional Cocktail Recipes To Try

Don’t miss this collection of Festive Winter Cocktail Recipes!

This Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail that may just be your new favorite summer drink.

These Smoky Mescal Margaritas, made with Cuantro, freshly squeezed lime and orange juice have a salted rim with a surprising ingredient! 

Don’t miss how to make killer Micheladas, also known as red beer.

These Vanilla Pear Moscow Mules are super simple to stir together, and are a fun and festive cocktail for the holidays!

This Pomegranate Lemon Drop Martini is a festive cocktail for the holiday season. It only takes 5 minutes to whip up!

These Maple Mint Vodka Spritzers are so fresh and light tasting.

Here is a recipe for a from-scratch whiskey sour cocktail with maple and Meyer lemon.

Ricky Bobbies are quite simple and extremely quaffable.

Thanks so much for reading! If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my email newsletter to get a free weekly menu plan and the latest recipes right to your inbox. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought!

Happy Cooking! ~Katie

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Sparkling Grapefruit Champagne Cocktail

Grapefruit Champagne Cocktail

  • Author: Katie Webster
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 4 cocktails 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Just three simple ingredients is all you need to make this elegant pink brunch cocktail. It is a bitter sweet and refreshing alternative to traditional orange juice mimosas.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ruby red grapefruit
  • 1 tablespoon Campari
  • 1 bottle dry Champagne or Prosecco

Instructions

  1. Cut grapefruit in half. Slice one 1/4-inch slice from one half and cut that into four quarter rounds for garnish. Juice the grapefruit halves. Transfer to a glass measuring cup. Add 1 tablespoon Campari and stir to combine. Divide among four champagne flutes. Top with Champagne. Garnish with the grapefruit slices.

Notes

To Make Ahead:

The grapefruit juice can be squeezed ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator, but the Campari and Champagne should be added just before serving.

Substitute for Campari:

Aperol is another Italian apéritif that contains less alcohol and is slightly sweeter than Campari. Or for a non alcoholic option try pomegranate juice or a few drops of bitters.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: no cook
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6 ounces
  • Calories: 159
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 0 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 1 g

Keywords: Grapefruit Champagne Cocktail, Grapefruit and Champagne, Grapefruit Juice Champagne, Grapefruit Sparkling Wine

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