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Simultaneously salty, sour and surprisingly sweet, the Salty Dog cocktail is perfect to sip during the dog days of summer.
Hamlet’s proclomation that the ‘cat will mew and dog will have his day’ takes on new meaning in mixology. In this case, the ‘dog’ in question is a Greyhound cocktail that’s elevated when served in a glass with a salt rim.
The Greyhound doesn’t just taste better in a salt rimmed glass. It’s also transformed into an entirely different cocktail. That cocktail is the Salty Dog.
The Salty Dog is a seemingly simple summertime cocktail that’s crafted with just three ingredients – vodka or gin, fresh grapefruit juice and coarse salt. However, despite its easy recipe, the Salty Dog’s flavors are complex thanks to the magical interplay of the salt, juice and liquor.
It’s a drink to be savored from the start of summer until the season’s final days.
Discover more summertime cocktails.
The Salty Dog’s ingredient list requires a decision. Since gin and vodka work equally well in the Salty Dog recipe, you must decide which liquor to use. There’s no bad decision to be made here. However, there’s also no arguing that the grapefruit juice should be freshly squeezed.
Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.
The most difficult part of the Salty Dog recipe is deciding between gin and vodka. Once you make this decision, you’re ready to wag the dog, i.e. craft the cocktail.
Start by rubbing a grapefruit wedge along the rim of a lowball glass. Next, dip the glass onto a plate topped with coarse salt. Swirl the glass until its rim is coated with salt. Pause for a minute or two to let the salt rim set.
Fill the glass with ice. Be careful not to disturb the salt rim as you drop in the cubes.
Measure the vodka and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. We like to use a Japanese jigger to ensure accurate measurements and avoid spillage but any measuring vessel will suffice.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
Pour the measured liquids into the glass.
Gently stir with a bar spoon, again being careful not to disturb the salt rim.
Garnish the crafted cocktail with the grapefruit wedge. Immediately start sipping before the ice starts to melt.
Pro Tip
Be careful not to drink too many Salty Dogs or you may require ‘hair of the dog’ the next morning.
We may be barking up the wrong tree but we think you’re going to love the Salty Dog. Its reicpe is super easy and its salty-sweet flavor combination tastes great. However, here are some suggestions if you’re not content to let sleeping dogs lie:
Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.
Salty Dog Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka or gin
- 4 ounces grapefruit juice freshly squeezed
- ice cubes
- 1 wedge grapefruit for the salt rim and garnish
- coarse salt for the salt rim
Equipment
Instructions
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Pour coarse salt on a small round plate.
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Rub a grapefruit wedge around the rim of a glass and then dip the glass into the salt, twirling the glass until the rim is well coated. Let the salt rim set for a minute or two.
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Fill a lowball glass with ice cubes.
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Pour the liquor (gin or vodka) and grapefruit juice into the glass.
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Gently stir.
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Garnish with the grapefruit wedge.
Notes
- Gin and vodka work equally well in this cocktail recipe.
- You can replace the grapefruit wedge with a another citrus wedge. You can also add a rosemary sprig.
Nutrition
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
The Salty Dog is summer cocktail that’s crafted with grapefruit juice and either vodka or gin. A salt rim completes the Salty Dog’s recipe.
Gin or Vodka, Grapefruit Juice,Ice Cubes, Grapefruit Wedge (for garnish and the rim) and Coarse Salt (for the rim)
While the two cocktails are similar, the key difference is that the Salty Dog has a salt rim while the Greyhound’s recipe is salt-free
The Salty Dog cocktail is typically stirred.
🍸 More Summertime Cocktails
Agua de Valencia: Spanish Sunshine in a Glass
Fuzzy Navel: Peachy Perfection in a Glass
Pina Colada: No Blender Required
Tinto de Verano: Red Wine Summer Cocktail
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