Sit, stay, and sip on savory-sweet refreshment with this guide for making easy cocktails that will have guests begging for more!
Every dog is a good dog. Whether it’s a pedigreed purebred, a crossover mix, or a garden-variety mutt, a canine companion adds unconditional love to our lives. And when it comes to cocktails, you can definitely teach an old dog new tricks.
Take the greyhound—a classic two-ingredient drink named for its popularity at restaurants inside Greyhound Bus terminals in the 1940s. Originally made with gin and grapefruit juice, the spirit of choice switched to vodka in the 1950s. Shortly after that evolution, a colorful cocktail innovator named George Jessel added a salt rim to balance the sharp bitterness of grapefruit juice with a savory element. That simple embellishment transformed the greyhound into a salty dog—similar to how the presence of a tail can transform a Pembroke Welsh corgi into a Cardigan Welsh corgi!
This is your official guide for how to make a salty dog drink. You won’t get dog-tired, as it’s a quick and easy recipe. But you might want to sit and stay once you’ve served it! And your guests are likely to roll over and beg for more of the refreshingly tart flavors softened by that salted rim.
Tips that work like a dog
- Use coarse kosher or sea salt for the rim, not table salt because it can add bitterness.
- Squeeze fresh grapefruit juice for the best and brightest flavor.
- Take your choice of stirring vs. shaking—the classic salty dog is often built in the glass with a gentle stir, but shaking chills and dilutes slightly, producing a lighter texture.
- Add a splash of simple syrup for a sweeter sip or a squeeze of lime for a tangier drink.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftover salty dog drinks without ice or garnish in a sealed container or pitcher in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Stir or shake well to recombine before enjoying. You can also freeze this drink for up to 1 month, though it will become slushy rather than freezing solid. Enjoy semi-frozen leftovers straight from the freezer after a good stir, blend them with fresh ice for a grown-up slushy, or let the drink thaw at room temp for 20-30 minutes, then stir, garnish, and serve.
Serving suggestions
Serve salty dog drinks alongside tasty treats that continue the canine theme. This Gluten-Free Protein Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies) is a must for a happy hour nosh. For more substantial bites, consider Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs With Salsa Verde And Queso Fresco paired with this Hush Puppies Recipe.
Ingredients
- Grapefruit slices or wedges for rimming and garnishing
- Salt for rimming the glass
- 2 ounces vodka
- 4 ounces grapefruit juice
Instructions
- Rub a grapefruit slice or wedge around the rim of a Collins or highball glass to moisten. Dip the rim into a shallow plate of salt to coat.
- Fill the prepared glass with ice.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka and grapefruit juice. Shake well until chilled, about 15–20 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared glass. Garnish with a grapefruit slice and serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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