Quick Summary: Quick Summary: A refreshing grapefruit and vodka cocktail with a salted rim. The classic recipe is simple; enhance it with homemade grapefruit shrub syrup or cinnamon vanilla simple syrup for a craft cocktail twist. Prep: 10 min | Serves: 1
Jump to: | RECIPE | Drink Syrups for Cocktails | Mixology with Shrub Syrups | How to Make It? | FAQ
The old fashioned cocktail called a Salty Dog is simple to make. The saltiness of the rim mixed with the sweetness and tang of the grapefruit juice just makes it a totally delightful spring cocktail. To enhance this drink even further add a dash of cinnamon vanilla infused simple syrup. Refreshing porch cocktail on a Spring day (like Earth Day or Mother’s Day)
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Using Drink Syrups in Cocktails
The recipe below is for a classic salty dog cocktail. You can enhance the flavor even further if you want to try your hand at a shrub syrup or simple syrup made with fresh grapefruit.
Or try this homemade sour mix using fresh citrus juices to customize your drink syrup, whether you like grapefruit or prefer just lemon and lime juices.
Mixology with DIY Shrub Syrups or Simple Syrups
Fruit shrub syrups are essentially simple syrups with infused fruit and added vinegar. They can add a depth and complexity that you might not get with a simple syrup and they are, of course, less sweet.
Mixology is the art of making cocktails with unique flavors and additions and is actually similar to baking. The core ingredients are always there in varying ratios and then you can get creative with flavor enhancement around this core.
Details around making your own shrub syrups or simple syrups can be found in this tutorial on mixology.
How to Make a Salty Dog Cocktail
The ingredient and recipe details are listed in the recipe card below. In short, wet the rim of a highball glass with a citrus wedge and dip it in kosher salt. Add vodka (or gin) and grapefruit juice to a shaker, stir (don’t shake), and pour over ice in the prepared glass. Top with sparkling water if desired and garnish with a grapefruit slice.
FAQ
A Greyhound is the same drink without the salted rim. The salt is what makes it a Salty Dog.
Either works. Vodka makes a cleaner, more grapefruit-forward drink. Gin adds botanical complexity. Choose based on your preference.
Kosher salt or flaky sea salt. Avoid fine table salt, which can taste too sharp and dissolve too quickly.
Add 1 to 2 ounces of grapefruit shrub syrup or a cinnamon vanilla simple syrup. A splash of homemade sour mix also works. These additions make the drink more complex without overwhelming the grapefruit.
Yes. Skip the vodka and use grapefruit juice with sparkling water and a salted rim. Add a splash of shrub syrup for more interest.
Fresh-squeezed is ideal. If using bottled, look for 100% juice without added sugar. Ruby red grapefruit is sweeter; white grapefruit is more tart.
For more, check out this collection of recipes for homemade cocktails, Italian sodas and non-alcohol drinks.
Salty Dog Cocktail
Equipment
- Highball glass
- Small plate for rimming glass
Ingredients
- small plate of kosher salt for rimming the glass
- 1 ½ oz vodka or gin
- 3 oz. grapefruit juice see notes for enhancment with syrups
- 2 oz sparkling water Optional
Instructions
- Use a lemon or lime wedge to wet the rim of a highball glass. Then dip the rim in the plate of salt.small plate of kosher salt for rimming the glass
- Add the vodka (or gin) and grapefruit juice to a shaker. Stir, don't shake. Pour over ice in the highball glass.1 1/2 oz vodka or gin, 3 oz. grapefruit juice
- Top off with some sparkling water (optional). Garnish with a grapefruit slice.2 oz sparkling water
Notes
-
infuse with cardamom
- Infuse a simple syrup with cinnamon and vanilla for the sweetener
- Use a homemade sour syrup
- 2 oz Grapefruit Cardamom Shrub Syrup
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