Salty Dog Cocktail: Ideal for 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.

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:

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Salty Dog Recipe

Essentially a Greyhound served in a glass with a salted rim, the Salty Dog is an ideal cocktail to sip during the dog days of summer.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Course: Drink

Cuisine: Cocktail

Servings: 1

Calories: 184kcal

Author: Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

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

• Bar Spoon
• Electric Citrus Juicer
• Jigger

Instructions

• Pour coarse salt on a small round plate.
• 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.
• Fill a lowball glass with ice cubes.
• Pour the liquor (gin or vodka) and grapefruit juice into the glass.
• Gently stir.
• Garnish with the grapefruit wedge.

Pro Tips

1. Gin and vodka work equally well in this cocktail recipe.
2. You can replace the grapefruit wedge with a another citrus wedge. You can also add a rosemary sprig.

Estimated Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 186mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 19IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.5mg

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