Salty Dog

The Salty Dog is a salty tart cocktail made with grapefruit juice and vodka or gin. It is perfect for margarita lovers.

What Is A Salty Dog

A Salty Dog drink is made with two simple ingredients, the same as the Greyhound Cocktail, but with the addition of salt along the rim of the glass. It is traditionally a gin drink but can be served with vodka.

Salty Dog is glass with mint and grapefruit garnish

How To Make A Salty Dog Drink

You need two ingredients and salt.

Grapefruit Juice – We went with a Ruby Red Grapefruit blend, I would recommend against a 100% grapefruit juice since it will be much less sweet.
Good Quality Vodka or Gin – the traditional cocktail is made with gin but is also delicious with vodka.

For one drink simply combine the juice and vodka or gin in a shaker with ice, shake and strain into a salt rimmed glass.

Salty Dog vs. Greyhound

Both the Salty Dog and a Greyhound are made with grapefruit juice. A Salty Dog can also be made with gin, but a Greyhound is usually just made with vodka. Additionally, the ratio of alcohol to juice is stronger in the Salty Dog drink. Finally, a good Salty Dog cocktail has a salt rim.

How To Serve

We like to serve a Salty Dog with a slice of grapefruit in it. You can choose between a yellow or ruby red, we chose the ruby red for it’s beautiful coloring. You can serve this drink the traditional style straight up (without ice) or with ice.

How To Rim A Glass With Salt

Rimming a glass with salt is straight forward.

Pour salt onto a small flat plate wide enough for the top of your glass.
Cut a wedge or slice of the fruit you are garnishing this drink with, in this case grapefruit.
Take the fruit and cut a slice into it about half an inch deep. Put the fruit with the slice into it on the rim of the glass and follow it around to complete a full circle.
Now with the rim wet take your glass and dip it into the salt, making sure to fully coat all around the top of your glass.

FAQ

What is the difference between a Salty Dog and a Greyhound?

The main difference is that a Salty Dog has a salted rim. It also can made with vodka or gin, but a Greyhound is only made with vodka. Finally, there is more juice to alcohol in a Greyhound.

What is the best gin for a Salty Dog?

Our personal preference is Bombay Sapphire. Another great option is Tanqueray. If you are looking for a less expensive choice, you could go with Beefeater or Kirkland’s brand, which we find delicious.

What is the best vodka for a Salty Dog?

You can never go wrong with Grey Goose. But especially when it comes to a drink that is being mixed with juice, a lower shelf option, like Titos, is great. Again, we recommend Kirkland’s brand, which often beats Grey Goose in blind taste tests.

Should a Salty Dog be made with gin or vodka?

This is a matter of personal preference. We, personally, prefer it with gin but it is delicious both ways.