The Greyhound

What is a Greyhound cocktail?

The Greyhound is a simple blend of vodka, grapefruit juice and ice. Tart, crisp and full of aromatic citrus notes, this vibrant pink cocktail is easy to mix and takes little time to put together. 

The Greyhound cocktail is the elder sibling of the Salty Dog and cousin of drinks like the Screwdriver and Cape Cod – made using orange and cranberry juice, respectively.

What Does a Greyhound Cocktail Taste Like?

The Greyhound cocktail’s dominant flavor is grapefruit – especially if you use Absolut Grapefruit vodka to double up on that characteristic note. But even if you use straight, unflavored vodka, it’s the perfect canvas for the tangy grapefruit juice to take center stage. The tartness of citrus is balanced with smooth vodka, fusing a bitter edge with a crisp, refreshing aftertaste.

The History of the Greyhound Cocktail

The first instance of the Greyhound cocktail dates back to 1930, where it was printed in a cocktail book created by a celebrity bartender and named after a famous London hotel. While vodka is usually the spirit of choice in the cocktail today, the Greyhound was originally crafted with gin. Vodka wasn’t a popular drink in the US until after World War II – gin and whiskey were the staple spirits instead.

How to Make the Perfect Greyhound Cocktail

While the Greyhound vodka drink is oh-so simple to make, having great quality ingredients goes a long way. Here’s how to recreate the perfect Greyhound recipe:

Use Fresh Grapefruit

As grapefruit is the main flavor, it makes sense to use the best of the best. If you can avoid store-bought juice, get hold of some of that ruby-red fruit and juice it yourself – you won’t look back.

Aerate Your Fruit Juice

Once you’ve juiced your grapefruit – or even just measured out your ready-made juice – it’s time to blitz. Use a hand blender or centrifuge juicer to aerate the grapefruit juice and really bring it to life. Adding air into the mix will dial up the citrus notes and create a smoother overall texture to the Greyhound vodka drink. Trust us, it’ll make all the difference!

Variations of a Greyhound drink

As the Greyhound is made up of only two ingredients, it’s a blank canvas for creative bartenders. Whether you lean into the grapefruit with our flavored vodka, sweeten it with sugar syrup or take it back to the original with a gin base, there’s plenty of room for adaptations.

• The Absolut Greyhound, or technically a Grapefruit Greyhound, is crafted with Absolut Grapefruit vodka, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and ice – garnished with a twist of grapefruit peel.
• For the truly grapefruit-obsessed, consider a few dashes of grapefruit bitters. Although you may want to balance this out with some sugar syrup to make sure the grapefruit flavor doesn’t run riot!
• To make a Sea Breeze, add two parts cranberry juice to your Greyhound for a boost of tart sweetness.
• If you like your cocktails with a slight kick, try a Dalmatian. This follows the same base recipe as a Greyhound but adds pepper syrup for a tickle of heat.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Greyhound

As the Greyhound is a simple drink, don’t be afraid to get funky with your garnishes. Thoughtful presentation will always raise the drinking experience, whatever the cocktail.

• For a classic approach, serve in a highball glass with a large cube of ice and a twist of grapefruit zest – or a whole wedge of grapefruit – as a garnish.
• Why not experiment with other citrus fruits, like lemon, orange or even clementine?
• Going down the herbal route, the likes of fresh thyme or a sprig of rosemary can boost visual appeal while adding some aromatics.