Mainbrace is a refreshing sipper using a mix of grapefruit, gin, and orange liqueur, all in a dainty little coupe. The mix isn’t surprising but it’s a very well thought-out ingredient list.
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What is the Mainbrace ?
The origin of the Mainbrace cocktail is very obscure, but it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the spirit brand Mainbrace. This drink calls for equal parts gin, orange liqueur, and grapefruit juice. It looks and sounds just as delicious as it is, and the grapefruit juice you use will influence the flavor greatly.
Mainbrace Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.25 oz gin
- 1.25 oz orange liqueur
- 1.25 grapefruit juice
Instructions
- In a shaker combine gin, triple sec, grapefruit juice, ice. Shake very well.
- Strain into coupe glass.
Notes
- If using fresh grapefruit juice you need to double strain to avoid the pulp.
- Grapefruit and/or orange expressed onto the surface adds a nice touch.
- Not very sweet, unless you use sweetened grapefruit juice.
When is this drink best ?
This is a sipper, and a very pretty one at that. I think it works very well in the evening, as an appetizer or even as an after-dinner digestive because of the grapefruit juice. And since it has such a nice color, I’d class it as more of a warm season drink than anything else.
My thoughts on Mainbrace
I actually liked it, despite the gin ! The grapefruit and orange go very, very well together and the color really sells the whole drink. It can be made small or large, but I made it small, in a coupe. That, paired with how fun it looked, made the Mainbrace a new recipe to add to my favorites list.
I do have to say pure 100% fresh grapefruit juice will be a little bitter, so it might not be the best for everyone. However adding a dash of simple syrup, or getting store-bought grapefruit juice (usually sweetened) makes this a bit better.
If you like Mainbrace, you might also like…
Cosmopolitan – a vodka sour with cranberry and orange liqueur
Sea Breeze – a highball mixing vodka and cranberry juice with grapefruit
Bee’s Knees – gin sour with a dash of honey syrup
Notes, substitutes, and tips
I used store-bought pink grapefruit juice, so I got a very strong color in my drink. Fresh grapefruit juice will be paler, and will result in an overall paler drink than mine. Also, using anything other than pink grapefruit will result in a pale drink.
I think blood orange would also work well in place of grapefruit. Equally beautiful juice, similar in flavor and bitterness.
Try expressing a bit or grapefruit oil onto the drink before serving.
