How to Make a salty dog cocktail

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

A Salty Dog cocktail is a crisp combination of grapefruit and vodka, known for its signature salted rim. It’s simple and quick to mix, making it suited to a range of occasions from get-togethers to casual evenings.

The salty rim that gives this cocktail its name perfectly complements the tart grapefruit and sharpness of the vodka. Together, it creates a well-rounded, subtle burst of flavor – perfect if you’re looking to enjoy a simple evening cocktail enjoyed by many.

Whether you’re a casual cocktail maker or home bartender hobbyist, make the Salty Dog your signature by following our easy recipe below.

Ingredients

ml Parts

Ice Cubes

Ice Cubes
45 ml Absolut Vodka

1 ½ Parts Absolut Vodka
120 ml Pink Grapefruit Juice

4 Parts Pink Grapefruit Juice
1 Wedge Grapefruit

1 Wedge Grapefruit
Salt

Salt

Number of Servings

Rate this recipe

3.5 from 375 votes

How to make a Salty Dog cocktail

The Salty Dog is a quick and easy mixed drink to make. First, you’ll need to start with the salted rim.

Take a wedge of lime or lemon and wet the rim of the glass with it.
Pour some coarse sea salt on a small plate.
Dip the glass rim in the salt. Voilà — you just gave the glass a characteristic, cool Salty Dog look.

For the cocktail:

Fill the glass with ice cubes.
Add the vodka and grapefruit juice.
Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
That’s all there is to it. Enjoy your Salty Dog cocktail.

Watch How to Make a Salty Dog cocktail

What is a Salty Dog?

A Salty Dog cocktail is a classic combination of grapefruit juice and vodka. The salty rim gives the drink its name and perfectly balances out the citrus zing of the grapefruit. Its three ingredients (vodka, grapefruit, salt) mean the cocktail is famously easy to mix, making it the perfect choice for anyone looking for a straightforward option that almost comes together by itself.

What does a Salty Dog Cocktail taste like?

The grapefruit juice in a Salty Dog cocktail gives the drink its famed zesty twang but also adds a subtle sweetness. The vodka base complements the tart fruit, while the salt cuts through the whole drink, adding balance and bringing it all together.

The History of the Salty Dog Cocktail

The Salty Dog originally evolved from the Greyhound cocktail. While the Greyhound is said to originate in the 1930s, the Salty Dog didn’t appear until the 50s, when a bartender first added a salty rim to counteract the bitterness of the grapefruit. This made the drink a little less sharp, and more popular with a wider range of customers.

Tips for Making the Perfect Salty Dog Cocktail

The genius of the Salty Dog cocktail lies in its three perfectly balanced ingredients. Vodka. Grapefruit. Salt. Nothing more, nothing less. But how do you get the most out of these ingredients and make sure this simple, yet delicious mixed drink hits the mark?

Fresh Grapefruit Juice – the Star of the Show

The grapefruit juice in a Salty Dog cocktail has the power to make or break your drink. Rather than buying store-bought juice, consider getting fresh grapefruit juice instead. Or, better yet, buy a couple of whole grapefruits and juice them yourself. This also makes sure there aren’t other flavors – just pure grapefruit juice in all its glory.

Variations of a Salty Dog Drink

As the Salty Dog is so straightforward, it’s also incredibly versatile. You can experiment a little with some of the ingredients – including the vodka you use. Why not spice things up with Absolut Peppar vodka?

Absolut Grapefruit Salty Dog

The Absolut Grapefruit Salty Dog follows the same recipe, but layers in even more grapefruit with the use of grapefruit vodka over the standard spirit. Give this one a try if you’re looking for a variation on the Salty Dog and like your bittersweet fruit flavors dialed right up.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Salty Dog

With it being a simple, subtle cocktail at heart, the Salty Dog provides plenty of opportunities to experiment with tasteful (and tasty) garnishes. A dash of thoughtful presentation can really elevate this mixed drink, so we’d try out a few classic garnishes to find your standout winner.

Why not try:

Grapefruit wedge. The classic, it just can’t go wrong.
Orange peel twist. A vintage favorite that pairs well with grapefruit.
Fresh herbs. Rosemary, thyme and basil work a dream with citrus. See if it suits your tastes.
Fruit skewers. Go for the retro look with delicate skewers of citrus fruits. Also provides that bonus snack at the end.
Dried fruit. A dried orange, lemon or grapefruit slice will give the cocktail a great contrast floating atop your Salty Dog.

Salty Dog Cocktail FAQs

Greyhound vs. Salty Dog: What's the Difference?

The Greyhound cocktail is the predecessor of the Salty Dog. It’s essentially the same mixed drink, but without the salty rim. The Greyhound was first mixed in the 1930s, while the Salty Dog was created in the 50s, when a bartender added the signature salt rim to offset the bracing grapefruit notes.

What’s the Best Glass for a Salty Dog?

Many find that a classic highball glass works well with the Salty Dog cocktail, for the perfect blend of elegance and practicality. No highball glass to-hand? A lowball or rocks glass will be just fine. Just don’t scrimp on the garnish!

Do You Have to Use Grapefruit Juice in a Salty Dog?

Strictly speaking, yes, but if you’d rather swap the grapefruit juice for an alternative then there’s a host of other options lying in wait – as long as you’re happy to leave out the salt rim. Try orange juice for a classic Screwdriver or crack open the ginger beer for a classic Moscow Mule.