Salty Dog Cocktail

Jump to Recipe Add us as a Google Trusted Source

The Salty Dog Cocktail is a refreshing, citrusy drink made with grapefruit juice, vodka or gin, and a signature salted rim. This classic cocktail delivers the perfect balance of tart, slightly bitter, and savory flavors, making it a crisp and refreshing choice for warm weather or happy hour.

Love a refreshing cocktail then try our Vodka Slush, this is a sweet cocktail that you would think has no alcohol or Campari Spritz which is more bitter sweet, both are refreshing.

Why Is it Called a Salty Dog?

The Salty Dog is named for its salted rim and the old nautical term “salty dog,” giving this refreshing grapefruit cocktail a fun maritime-inspired name.

Why I Love This Recipe

Refreshing
So easy to make
Perfect for Spring/Summer but works in the winter when citrus is at its peak
Great for batch making in a pitcher
Get your vitamin C

Helpful Items For This Recipe

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small portion from qualifying purchases at no extra charge to you.

Cocktail Shaker Set Bartender Kit with Stand

Cocktail Glasses 10 oz Hobnail Drinking Glasses Set of 6

Pink Himalayan Salt – (Coarse Grain) – 2.2 lb Bag

Ruby red grapefruit is my favorite as for the majority of the time they are sweeter than other varieties and nothing can beat that stunning color!!

Use a nice coarse Kosher or sea salt for the rim. You want the “salty” to come into play on this cocktail. It adds so much more flavor and fun! If you remove the salty rim what do you have? A Greyhound!! Which is another classic.

Salty Dog Cocktail Ingredients

This cocktail only has three ingredients so it is very doable for anyone to create. I have seen it using fresh grapefruit juice but I think the majority of us are going to buy the grapefruit cocktail which can be slightly sweeter and so much easier!

If you love gin then that was what the original drink was made of but over the years vodka has been subbed in. Don’t want all that ice watering down your libation? Then make this into a martini. Shake in a cocktail shaker with the ice and then pour into a martini glass. You can also reduce the amount of grapefruit to vodka/gin ratio and make this stronger. For me, it was just perfect for a quenching alcoholic beverage any time of the year!

Ingredients

Vodka – You can use the vodka you have on hand or buy an inexpensive vodka.

Grapefruit juice – You can use grapefruit juice or cocktail or freshly squeezed for best flavor.

Salt – This is used for rimming the glass. You can also use a pink Himalayan sea salt if you like, it is great for cooking too.

Ice – You want this drink nice and icy cold.

Fresh rosemary sprigs and extra grapefruit wedges – Used to decorate the glass.

How to Make a Salty Dog Cocktail

Rub the rim of a highball glass with a grapefruit wedge, then dip it into salt to coat the rim.

Fill the glass with ice.

Pour the vodka and grapefruit juice into the glass.

Stir gently to combine.

Garnish with a grapefruit slice or wedge and rosemary leaves.

Recipe Pro Tips

Use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice: It makes a huge difference in flavor—brighter, more vibrant, and less bitter than bottled juice.

Grapefruits can vary in sweetness. If yours is extra tart, a dash of simple syrup or a squeeze of orange juice can mellow the flavor.

A rosemary sprig gently bruised (rolled between your fingers) will release aromatic oils and elevate the drink.

Replace vodka with gin if desired for a more herbal flavor.

WANT MORE SUMMER DRINKS?

Love a summer cocktail? We sure do and here are some of our favorites.

Pin it HERE!!

Pin it HERE!!

Salty Dog Cocktail

Tara Noland

Perfect for brunch, summer gatherings, or casual entertaining, the Salty Dog cocktail is a timeless drink that’s both refreshing and sophisticated.

4.67 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Save Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings serving

Ingredients

2 oz vodka or gin
4 oz grapefruit juice freshly squeezed for best flavor
Salt for rimming the glass
1 cup of ice
Fresh rosemary sprigs and extra grapefruit wedges to decorate the glass

Instructions

Rub the rim of a highball glass with a grapefruit wedge, then dip it into salt to coat the rim.
Fill the glass with ice.
Pour the vodka and grapefruit juice into the glass.
Stir gently to combine.
Garnish with a grapefruit slice or wedge and rosemary leaves.