How to Make a Classic Greyhound Cocktail – Simple Recipe

A greyhound cocktail is a delicious drink, ideal for either brunch or anytime you want a quick and easy-to-make beverage that offers a fruity flavor with a semi-bitter kick.
Consisting simply of vodka and grapefruit juice, along with perhaps a citrus slice for garnish, this refreshing cocktail takes only a couple of minutes to prepare, but always hits the spot and tastes fantastic.

Because this drink only has two ingredients, you will want to make sure you use good quality vodka and also good quality grapefruit juice – freshly squeezed if possible – because both flavors will be clear in the finished cocktail.

Use a citrus juicer to juice your own grapefruits or choose a store-bought one which is 100% grapefruit juice with no pulp or added sugar. One average sized grapefruit yields about 4 ounces of juice, which is just what you need for this greyhound cocktail recipe.

Greyhound Cocktail History

A gi-based version of this cocktail appeared during the 1930s. It was first mentioned in Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail book and described as a ‘grapefruit cocktail variation’ which implies grapefruit juice cocktails were already popular back then. Craddock’s recipe is made with gin, ice and grapefruit juice.
Gin was the liquor of choice for blending with fruit juice until after the Second World War when vodka started to gain popularity. Many classic vodka-based cocktails we know today would have contained gin instead back then.

In 1945, a recipe for a ‘Greyhound’ was printed in Harper’s magazine, calling for vodka, canned grapefruit juice and sugar. The name ‘greyhound cocktail’ was coined because this drink was served at ‘Post House’ – Greyhound’s popular restaurant chain found in bus terminals.

During prohibition and shortly after, the quality of alcoholic cocktails wasn’t so good, hence the popular addition of salt or sugar rims. It is rare to see ‘greyhound cocktail’ printed on a bar menu these days, simply because it is just as easy to ask for vodka (or gin) with grapefruit juice on the rocks.

How Much Vodka to Use

Because it is your drink, the amount of ingredients you use is up to you. Some people prefer to pair one part of vodka with two parts of grapefruit juice, since the glass is going to be full of ice cubes anyway (which will melt and dilute it).
Others prefer one part vodka to four or five parts grapefruit juice. The choice is yours. Maybe try it both ways and see which you like best!

The Classic Greyhound Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 2 ounces vodka
• 4 ounces grapefruit juice

Optional Garnish:

• A lime or lemon slice

How to Make It:

• Fill a Collins glass with ice cubes.
• Pour in the vodka and grapefruit juice.
• Stir well.
• Serve garnished with a slice of lime or lemon, if liked.

Some Greyhound Cocktail Variations

Although the classic greyhound cocktail recipe is perfect just as it is, you might like to do a little experimentation with this drink, or see how the grapefruit juice pairs with your favorite flavored vodka.

Ruby Red Greyhound Cocktail:  Switch the yellow grapefruit for a ruby red one, if you prefer a slightly sweeter drink. If you don’t have one, you can add a dash of simple syrup or a couple of drops of grenadine for a similar result.

Perfect Pink Greyhound:  Use pink grapefruit juice for this variation.

Sparkling Greyhound Cocktail:  Adding some club soda to the cocktail makes it sparkling, and also tames the tartness from the grapefruit juice.

Salty Dog:  Salt the rim of the glass before mixing up your greyhound cocktail.

Dalmatian: Add a little black pepper syrup to make your greyhound into a dalmation.

Sea Breeze:  Pour in some cranberry juice to make a sea breeze cocktail.

Italian Greyhound Cocktail:  Add a few drops of amaro to the mix if you like your cocktails with a sour kick. Amaro is an Italian liqueur with a bitter-sweet flavor.

Gin Greyhound:  Swap the vodka for gin to make a gin greyhound.

 

Greyhound Cocktail FAQ

Q: What kind of glass should you serve a greyhound cocktail in?

A: You can serve this cocktail in whichever glass you like, although a Collins glass is the usual choice because it holds plenty of ice cubes. A Collins glass is a glass tumbler which holds between 10 and 14 ounces. It is taller and narrower than a highball glass. Some bars will serve a greyhound cocktail in a lowball or ‘old fashioned’ glass, which is a short, wide tumbler.

Q: Can you make this for a crowd?

A: Absolutely! The classic greyhound cocktail recipe is an easy-to-remember 1 part vodka to 2 parts grapefruit juice, served over plenty of ice. You can make this in a jug if you are expecting a crowd. Fill the jug with ice then pour in a cup of vodka to every 2 cups of grapefruit juice (or ½ cup vodka to 2 cups grapefruit for a less potent drink) and stir well.