Ernest + Rita

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (164 ratings)
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    Ernest + Rita

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Ernest + Rita image

Photographed in an Italesse Presidente Wormwood

Ingredients:
1 1⁄6 oz Patrón Silver blanco tequila
1⁄2 oz Elderflower liqueur
1 1⁄6 oz Pink grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed)
5⁄6 oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄3 oz Monin Pure Cane Syrup (65.0°brix, equivalent to 2:1 rich syrup)
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Coupe glass.
  2. Prepare pink grapefruit zest for garnish.
  3. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. Express pink grapefruit zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 4/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 7/10
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Review:

A relatively low-alcohol, floral, grapefruit-laced and aperitivo-style Margarita.

View readers' comments

History:

Adapted from a recipe created in 2014 by Jamie Lewis at Bath & Bottle in Douglas, Isle of Man.

Nutrition:

One serving of Ernest + Rita contains 164 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 0.9 standard drinks
  • 10.42% alc./vol. (10.42° proof)
  • 12.5 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Showing 10 of 11 comments for Ernest + Rita.
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Florian Ruf’s Avatar Florian Ruf
23rd May at 12:41
Did it a second time after a longer period and loved it again! It is now saved under favourites. This time I followed the advices used a bit more tequila and some drops of saline solution.
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G. M. Genovese’s Avatar G. M. Genovese
22nd October 2024 at 02:47
Intense! The specific measures are there for a reason, as I suspected. This recipe would be great on the rocks, but 'up' (as I'd done) it's a tad too sweet. I did add a drop of saline in the half-size shake I made, which might account for some of its grand dynamics. (16 Jun 2023, 5:33p) ... made again with these adjustments, still amazing: 40 ml gin, 20 ml lime, 7.5 ml syrup (21 Oct 2024, 10:45p)
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G. M. Genovese’s Avatar G. M. Genovese
11th January at 15:36
Cutting the tequila 6:1 with a small does of mezcal is just right. Still borderline of too sweet, but what a recipe!
1
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1 reply
Calvin Grant’s Avatar Calvin Grant
19th October 2024 at 02:24
Excellent balance of flavors, lime grapefruit and elderflower and rather sour. Having made a double, got half way through and added 15ml tequila and some ice and I like this boozier version better. Will make it this way again.
4
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Andre Derailleur’s Avatar Andre Derailleur
21st April at 08:36
Agree that a little extra tequila makes this.
1
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1 reply
Shannon Brown’s Avatar Shannon Brown
30th September 2024 at 01:49
Grapefruit is definitely the first one through the door and the most outgoing at the party. Has some earthy, somewhat nutty characteristics with a long lingering grapefruit finish. Very citrus forward. I will definitely make this again.
2
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Dave Smith’s Avatar Dave Smith
19th January 2024 at 01:56
A lot will depend on the grapefruit. I have some from a neighbors tree, not pink but sweeter. Other variables are ingredient inventory…. Ratios = tequila 1.25. St g .5. Grapefruit 1.25 lime .25 syrup.5. Nice!
2
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Jim Plante’s Avatar Jim Plante
10th January 2023 at 00:46
Oh my this was so good, I had to mix a second! Cheers!
5
reply
John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
12th December 2022 at 02:42
Great cocktail. Loved the forward flavour of the grapefruit. Added a citrus tartness that you do not normally find in a margarita-style cocktail. Easy to drink.
3
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Chris Dimal’s Avatar Chris Dimal
20th November 2022 at 12:35
Maybe it could be due to my grapefruit (seemed to be Ruby Red) and/or my palate, but it was too tart for my liking.
3
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Doris Magnus’ Avatar Doris Magnus
7th May 2022 at 00:07
This is an awesome cocktail Very enjoyable and easy to drink. Its a cocktail that doesn't just taste like booze, very smooth for a tequila cocktail
3
reply
John KM’s Avatar John KM
16th April 2022 at 21:01
Very flavoursome and very moreish. Pity I ran out of elderflower liquer!
3
reply
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