The Brown Derby is a 1930s Hollywood cocktail — bourbon, fresh grapefruit juice, and honey. It's tart, slightly bitter, lightly sweet, and one of the most refreshing whiskey cocktails ever made. Here's the non-alcoholic version.
What You Need
- 2 oz No. 86 Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
- 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice (pink grapefruit if available)
- ½ oz honey syrup (2 parts honey, 1 part warm water)
- Ice
- Coupe glass, chilled
- Grapefruit twist to garnish
How to Make It
- Chill your coupe with ice water while you prepare the drink.
- Combine No. 86, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup in a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 10 seconds.
- Discard the ice water. Strain into the chilled coupe.
- Garnish with a wide grapefruit twist expressed over the glass.
Pink vs White Grapefruit
Pink grapefruit is sweeter and less bitter than white grapefruit — it makes a more approachable Brown Derby. White grapefruit is more assertively bitter and tart, which creates a more complex drink. Both work. Pink is better if you're making it for someone who doesn't usually drink cocktails; white is better if you want the grapefruit to really come through.
Why This Drink Works
Grapefruit and whiskey is one of the great underappreciated combinations. The grapefruit's bitterness cuts through the sweetness of the honey while the acidity brightens No. 86's oak character. It's the kind of drink that tastes more complex than its three ingredients suggest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bottled grapefruit juice?
Fresh is significantly better here — grapefruit juice loses its brightness quickly and bottled versions are often sweetened. Fresh grapefruit takes 30 seconds to squeeze and the difference is noticeable.
What's the difference between a Brown Derby and a Paloma?
A Paloma is a tequila drink with grapefruit soda — carbonated, longer, more refreshing. The Brown Derby is a whiskey cocktail served up with fresh juice — richer, more spirit-forward, no carbonation.
Can I make it on the rocks instead of up?
Yes. Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass if you prefer. The drink dilutes a bit more but stays refreshing longer.
Tart. Bright. Underrated.
No. 86 and fresh grapefruit — the Brown Derby, without the bourbon.
→ Shop No. 86 — from $35.99
Make this recipe with No. 86 non-alcoholic whiskey — built for cocktails like this one.