This Salty Dog Cocktail is Sweet and Tart—Make It for Your Main Squeeze

The perfect way to elevate a cozy evening at home is with a simple but special cocktail to set the mood. Whether you’re gathering with close friends, doing a date night at home, or enjoying a solo night of self-care, this refreshing grapefruit vodka cocktail is always a welcome addition at our house. Known classically as a Greyhound—or a Salty Dog if you’re feeling adventurous with a salted rim—this vibrant drink brings together just the right balance of sweetness, tang, and sparkle.

One thing that sets this grapefruit vodka cocktail apart is its versatility. I’ve tweaked the classic recipe by adding a hint of agave syrup for sweetness and finishing it off with grapefruit sparkling water for extra fizz and flavor. It’s perfect for elevating a weeknight or making a dinner party feel special—without the stress. Scroll on for this quick recipe and my favorite tips to make it your new go-to.

Greyhound vs. Salty Dog: What’s the Difference?

Let’s break it down:

• Greyhound: Simply vodka and grapefruit juice—a classic that’s crisp, fresh, and easy to sip.
• Salty Dog: A Greyhound with a salted rim. Trust me, this small addition makes all the difference, enhancing the drink’s sweetness and tartness.
• Italian Greyhound: Love something slightly more sophisticated? Add a splash of Campari for extra depth.

My version is closest to the Salty Dog thanks to its yummy salted rim, but mixes up the classic ratios just a bit, adding a squeeze of agave syrup and some grapefruit-flavored sparkling water to top it off. I love the fizziness this provides, and it allows me to modify the drink and make a low-alcohol cocktail if I want to keep things light, without sacrificing the delicious grapefruit flavor.

How to Make a Salty Dog Cocktail in 3 Easy Steps

I’m not a fan of complicated at-home cocktails—I love a short ingredients list and simple shake-it-up technique, and this cocktail recipe has both.

1. First, you’re going to salt the rims of your glasses. I like the look of a rim that’s salted on just half the glass, plus it allows the drinker to decide if they take a sip with or without salt. To get this effect, all you have to do is take a lime or grapefruit wheel and run it around the edge of half the glass, then dip that half into a small bowl filled with kosher salt.
2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, you’re going to shake up 2 parts grapefruit juice to 1 part vodka, with a squeeze of agave if desired.
3. Strain and pour over your ice-filled glasses, then top off with grapefruit sparkling water to taste. My hands-down favorite is Rambler—everyone in our house is obsessed. If you want, garnish with a grapefruit slice.

Tips to Elevate Your Cocktail

• Freshly squeezed juice is a game-changer—pink or ruby red grapefruit works beautifully.
• Adjust sweetness with agave or omit altogether if you prefer a less sweet sip.
• Quality sparkling water like Rambler adds crispness and keeps the drink light and refreshing.

How to Make It a Mocktail

Since grapefruit has such a delicious, juicy flavor on its own, it makes an amazing base for a non-boring cocktail. If you’d like to make this drink without alcohol, just swap in a little lime juice in place of the vodka or gin, and add some extra grapefruit sparkling water. Make it feel a little more special by throwing in a rosemary sprig or mint for garnish. Delish—and beautiful!

This post was last updated on March 20, 2025 to include new insights.

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