Follow our easy Greyhound cocktail recipe and craft the 2-ingredient cocktail at home in just a few minutes. It’s simultaneously refreshing and tart – a winning combination.
The word greyhound evokes different reactions from different people.
When they hear the word, some think of the famous racing dog. Others have traumatic flashbacks involving barebones bus rides between American cities. A few start craving refreshing cocktails.
What Is the Greyhound Cocktail?
The Greyhound is a refreshing cocktail that’s crafted with just two ingredients. The first ingredient is either gin or vodka. The second ingredient is freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.
It’s a simple cocktail to be sure. It’s also pink, tart and ideal for summertime sipping.
Discover more summer sippers.
History of the Greyhound Cocktail
While the Greyhound’s recipe is simple, it’s history is a bit of a mystery.
Some cocktail historians credit the recipe to Harry Craddock, a British bartender who created the White Lady and Corpse Reviver No. 2. He included a grapefruit cocktail recipe in his iconic The Savoy Cocktail Club Book which he published in 1930. However, that sour cocktail recipe, which included gin and grapefruit juice, wasn’t yet called a Greyhound.
While it’s unclear who coined the Greyhound name, history reveals that it showed up in the Harper’s Bazaar magazine a decade later. Also at that time and probably not a coincidence, the Greyhound was the drink of choice at Post House restaurants operated by the Greyhound bus company.
Fun Fact
Vodka and gin are equally acceptable when crafting a Greyhound cocktail today.
Ingredients
These are the only ingredients required to craft a Greyhound cocktail at home:
Since it’s a two-ingredient drink, we recommend using your favorite brand whether you decide to use gin or vodka.
Discover more 2-ingredient drinks.
How to Craft a Greyhound Cocktail
The Greyhound cocktail is easy to craft – its recipe calls for just two items (liquor and a grapefruit) with no special equipment required. The only things you’ll need are a measuring implement, i.e. a jigger, and a bar spoon.
The most complicated part of crafting a Greyhound is choosing between gin or vodka. We like to use vodka since the unflavored liquor allows the grapefruit juice’s flavor to shine. However, there’s no bad choice here. It simply comes down to your personal preference and which liquor you have on hand.
Once you make this decision, the first step is to fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
The next step is to measure the liquor of your choice and pour it into an ice-filled glass. We like to use a Japanese jigger for this step but you can use another jigger or a miniature measuring cup instead.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
Immediately pour the grapefruit juice into the same glass.
Pro Tip
While you can hypothetically buy grapefruit juice at the grocery store, we don’t recommend this option. We like to use an electric juicer to quickly extract grapefruit juice but you can hand squeeze your grapefruit if you don’t have a juicer.
Gently stir the cocktail with a bar spoon.
Pro Tip
You can use a long spoon or straw if you don’t have a bar spoon. That being said, bar spoons are inexpensive.
Garnish the cocktail with a grapefruit wedge and serve with a straw.
We recommend using a grapefruit wedge since it minimizes the number of ingredients provides a pretty pink hue. You can alternatively garnish the cocktail with a slice of lemon or a lime wheel.
Variations
The Greyhound cocktail is ideal for times when you want to sip a refreshing drink that’s super easy to craft. However, here are some ideas if you want to take the two-ingredient cocktail to the next level:
Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Greyhound cocktail is a tart yet refreshing 2-ingredient cocktail that’s crafted with grapefruit juice and either gin or vodka.
The Greyhound cocktail can be crafted with either gin or vodka. The only way to find to decide which version is better is to try them both.
Vodka or Gin, Grapefruit Juice, Ice Cubes and a Grapefruit Wedge (garnish)
The Greyhound cocktail is stirred, not shaken.
Did you craft this cocktail? If so, please rate the recipe below.
Greyhound Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka (or gin)
- 4 ounces grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed)
- ice cubes
- 1 wedge grapefruit (garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
- Pour the liquor (gin or vodka) and grapefruit juice into the glass.
- Gently stir.
- Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
Pro Tips
- Gin and vodka work equally well in this cocktail recipe.
- You can replace the grapefruit wedge with a lemon slice or a lime wheel.
Estimated Nutrition
Thirsty for More 2-Ingredient Cocktails?
About the Authors
Daryl and Mindi Hirsch
Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers a unique taste of the world.
Original Publication Date: March 4, 2024