Greyhound Cocktail

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A classic Greyhound Cocktail is just vodka (or gin) and grapefruit juice, and it’s just as fruity and refreshing as it sounds. Add a salted rim and you’ll have a “Salty Dog.”

A Greyhound cocktail next to a carafe of grapefruit juice.


 

A classic Greyhound cocktail is made with fresh grapefruit juice, vodka, and a lemon garnish. In its earliest days, though, it was made with grapefruit jelly. The cocktail first gained traction in Harry Craddock’s book “The Savoy Cocktail Book,” and Harry made his version with grapefruit juice and gin. By the time the 40’s rolled around, vodka was all the rage, and even now, Greyhounds are made with vodka.

By 1945, Harper’s Magazine officially christened it the “Greyhound Cocktail,” and by the 1950’s, it was served in Post House restaurants in Greyhound bus terminals. Well-traveled individuals spread the word, and the Greyhound cocktail recipe soared in popularity.

It might seem like a complicated history for a basic drink. Vodka and grapefruit juice feels obvious, but in that time period, fresh grapefruit juice was a novelty. So the next time you mix up this classic cocktail, imagine you’ve never had grapefruit juice at all, or only when traveling, and you might appreciate it’s past popularity.

Recipe ingredients

Labeled ingredients for a greyhound cocktail.

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

  • Vodka: Greyhound cocktails were originally made with gin, but as vodka overtook it in popularity, vodka became the popular choice for Greyhounds and other cocktails.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Fill a rocks glass with ice, then pour in vodka and grapefruit juice.
Mixing a Greyhound cocktail.
  1. Using a bar spoon, stir gently. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Mixing a Greyhound cocktail.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
  • Glassware: A Greyhound is traditionally made in an Old Fashioned glass, a 6-ounce to 10-ounce glass tumbler similar to a rocks glass or lowball glass.
  • Big batch: To make a batch of 8 cocktails, combine 12 ounces (1 ½ cups) vodka and 40 ounces (5 cups) grapefruit juice in a pitcher. Have ice, glassware, and lemon twists on hand so guests can help themselves.
  • Sweeter: If you prefer your grapefruit cocktail a little sweeter, add a touch of simple syrup (it adds sweetness without the grittiness of granulated sugar). Honey or maple syrup work too, although they change the flavor.
  • Shaken, not stirred: Feel free to mix your cocktail in in a cocktail shaker instead of a glass. Add plenty of ice cubes, cap it tightly before shaking vigorously, then strain into a collins glass. Use a julep-style strainer if you want the pulp in your drink.
  • Greyhound mocktail: Omit the vodka and top the grapefruit juice with club soda. It has a delicious refreshing taste that’s perfect for brunch.
  • Salty dog: Add a salted rim to your Greyhound cocktail. The salt kicks up the flavor of the grapefruit juice in a delightful way.
  • Paloma: Substitute 2 ounces tequila for the vodka, reduce grapefruit juice to 4 ounces, add 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, and garnish with a lime wedge and a pinch of salt.
  • Sea Breeze: Substitute a highball glass, increase grapefruit juice to 6 ounces, add 2 ounces cranberry juice cocktail, and garnish with a lime wedge. This is a good cocktail for brunch, too.
  • Italian greyhound: Made with Campari or Aperol and a sprig of rosemary. The fresh rosemary sprig adds a woody aroma to the cocktail.
A Greyhound cocktail next to a carafe of grapefruit juice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s in a greyhound drink?

The original Greyhound cocktail was made with gin, but in the 1940’s, vodka took over. You can use either gin or vodka, then add fresh grapefruit juice.

Why is a greyhound drink called a greyhound?

This cocktail gained its popularity by being served at Greyhound terminals.

What’s the difference between a greyhound and a paloma?

Greyhounds are typically made with vodka while a paloma is made with tequila and lime juice. Both have grapefruit juice.

More vodka cocktails

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A Greyhound cocktail next to a carafe of grapefruit juice.

Greyhound Cocktail

A classic Greyhound Cocktail is just vodka (or gin) and grapefruit juice, and it's just as fruity and refreshing as it sounds. Add a salted rim and you'll have a "Salty Dog."
Prep Time 1 minute
Total Time 1 minute
Servings 1 cocktail
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Calories 164
5 from 1 vote

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/2 ounces vodka (3 tablespoons, see note 1)
  • 5 ounces grapefruit juice (¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 lemon or lime twist for garnish

Instructions 

  • Fill a rocks glass with ice, then add vodka and grapefruit juice. Using a bar spoon, stir gently. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Notes

  1. Vodka: Greyhound cocktails were originally made with gin, but as vodka overtook it in popularity, vodka became the popular choice for Greyhounds and other cocktails.
  2. Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
  3. Glassware: A Greyhound is traditionally made in an Old Fashioned glass, a 6-ounce to 10-ounce glass tumbler similar to a rocks glass or lowball glass.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cocktailCalories: 164kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 231mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 39mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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