Salty Dog Cocktail Recipe

Name: Salty Dog Cocktail Recipe
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 6 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: Cocktails
Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz gin; 4 oz grapefruit juice; 1 tsp coarse salt

Drinks | Food

Learn how to make a Salty Dog Cocktail with this easy recipe! It’s fast, simple, and a perfect refreshing summer cocktail

One of the best summers of my life was spent in Sarasota. That town knows how to have a good time, I tell ya.

I was there doing a show, and Ryan was with me, and because we were only performing the show at night we had all day free to explore, adventure, and hang out on some of the best beaches in the whole world (in my humble opinion).

You know what I mean if you’ve ever been to Siesta Key! Hidden beaches, soft white sand, turquoise water, and a town with a beach mentality that just makes you never want to leave.

We would go with friends down to the beach for the day and end up at The Old Salty Dog, sitting on the porch with burgers and coconut shrimp and drinking Salty Dogs. It’s a cocktail that is now forever entwined with happy summers for me, and I wanted to share it!

Psst — if you like the Salty Dog, you’re gonna love our Bee’s Knees!

And be sure to sign up below for our VIP group – I send these folks more of my very best cocktails, recipes, and DIYs.

Our Other Favorite Gin Cocktails

We’re big gin fans around here! I do my very best to share lots of gin cocktail ideas because I think it’s not often given the credit it deserves for being a fantastic alcohol for mixing.

If you haven’t gotten into our gin cocktail library yet, here are a few I think you’ll enjoy:

Why Is it Called a Salty Dog?

To understand the name of this cocktail, you need to know that it’s basically a Greyhound that’s been dressed up a little bit! A Greyhound is simply gin or vodka and grapefruit juice.

The Salty Dog cocktail adds the twist of a salted rim on the Greyhound; hence the name.

The Greyhound dates back to the 1930’s when it was published in the Savoy Cocktail Book (like many of our favorite classics!). Originally it was made with gin, but over the years vodka has become a popular substitute.

I happen to prefer the original gin version, which I definitely recommend!

Most people guess that the Salty Dog version came along sometime during the 1950’s. A salted rim is a perfect balance to the tart grapefruit flavor.

The Best Gin for a Salty Dog Cocktail

Because there are only two ingredients (aside from the salt), your gin will really make a difference when you’re mixing a Salty Dog cocktail.

I wouldn’t use a particularly cheap gin for this one, but a mid-range London dry would work just fine!

How to Make This Cocktail in Large Batches

Salty Dogs are so easy to make in large batches! In fact, it’s a great cocktail to serve to groups if you’re having a gathering.

To make a large batch, simply multiply the ingredients below by the number of people that you’d like to serve. Mix the liquid ingredients ahead of time and chill.

Then, rim each glass and fill with ice before you pour the mixed ingredients in the glasses.

When to Serve a Salty Dog

I love serving Salty Dog cocktails in the spring or summer! The grapefruit is tart and refreshing, and the salt rim gives the drink the summery feel of a Margarita.

It’s perfect for so many occasions! Here are just a few ideas of when to serve a Salty Dog.

backyard parties, gatherings, or barbeques
baby showers or wedding showers
date nights
afternoon cocktails
happy hour
brunch
girl’s night in
any time you want one!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gin. As I mentioned above, because this cocktail only has two liquid ingredients, you’ll taste everything pretty plainly! There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles to mask the taste of a subpar gin. So I recommend a mid-range London dry, which would mix well with the grapefruit juice.

Grapefruit Juice. As with any cocktail, I always recommend freshly squeezed fruit juices when using them for a mixer. The fresh juice elevates a cocktail, and you just can’t replicate that taste with a pre-packaged, sweetened juice.

Coarse Salt. Coarse salt works well for rimming your glasses, just as it would for a Margarita.

Do This First When You’re Making a Salty Dog

Remember, rim your glasses first!

Pour some coarse salt on a flat dish large enough to accommodate the mouth of your rocks glass.

Start with a fresh, dry rocks glass and run a slice of the grapefruit around the rim of the glass to moisten the rim.

Flip the glass upside down so that the wet rim of the glass dips into the salt on your plate. Lift out of the salt and you’ll have a salt-rimmed glass that’s ready for a cocktail.

How to Make a Salty Dog Cocktail

Now that you’ve got all the details, let’s make you a cocktail!

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz gin (or vodka if you prefer)
Grapefruit juice
Coarse salt
Ice

Before you begin, be sure that you’ve done the process to rim your glasses with salt.
Fill your rocks glass 3/4 full of ice.
Pour in gin.
Fill with grapefruit juice. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit if you wish!

Note: If you prefer, you can mix your cocktail in a shaker to chill it more and fully mix the ingredients. Just pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, shake vigorously, and pour into your salt-rimmed glass.

Pair Your Salty Dog with These Other Summery Ideas

Here are a few other ideas that would go perfectly with a Salty Dog cocktail if you’re entertaining or feeling creative! Have fun. xoxo