The Greyhound

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.

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 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 gained popularity in the US after World War II, while gin and whiskey had been the staple spirits beforehand.

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!

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 little bit of spice, try a Dalmatian. This follows the same base recipe as a Greyhound but adds pepper syrup for a tickle of heat.

The Greyhound is a simple drink, so don’t be afraid to get playful 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.

The Greyhound is a concoction of vodka and grapefruit juice, while the Salty Dog serves the same recipe with a salted rim. This adds an extra dimension to the drink and helps to round out the fruity flavors.

When it first became popular, the Greyhound was allegedly a regular fixture at Greyhound bus terminals where travelers had time to sit, wait, and take the opportunity to enjoy a cocktail.

While they both revolve around grapefruit juice, a Greyhound cocktail uses vodka as the base spirit while the Paloma instead features tequila.