Salty Dog Cocktail: Ideal for Summer

The Salty Dog cocktail is essentially a Greyhound with a salt rim. Simultaneously salty, sour and surprisingly sweet, it's an ideal drink to sip during the dog days of summer.

Salty Dog CocktailPhoto by2foodtrippers

Hamlet's proclomation that the 'cat will mew and dog will have his day' takes on new meaning in mixology. In this case, the 'dog' in question is a Greyhound cocktail that's elevated when served in a glass with a salt rim.

The Greyhound doesn't just taste better in a salt rimmed glass. It's also transformed into an entirely different cocktail. That cocktail is the Salty Dog.

What Is the Salty Dog Cocktail?

The Salty Dog is a seemingly simple summertime cocktail that's crafted with just three ingredients - vodka or gin, fresh grapefruit juice and coarse salt. However, despite its easy recipe, the Salty Dog's flavors are complex thanks to the magical interplay of the salt, juice and liquor.

It's a drink to be savored from the start of summer until the season's final days.

Ingredients

The Salty Dog's ingredient list requires a decision:

• 2 ounces vodka or gin
• 4 ounces grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed)
• ice cubes
• 1 wedge grapefruit for the salt rim and garnish
• coarse salt for the salt rim

Since gin and vodka work equally well in the Salty Dog recipe, you must decide which liquor to use. There's no bad decision to be made here. However, there's also no arguing that the grapefruit juice should be freshly squeezed.

How to Craft a Salty Dog Cocktail

The most difficult part of the Salty Dog recipe is deciding between gin and vodka. Once you make this decision, you're ready to wag the dog, i.e. craft the cocktail.

Start by rubbing a grapefruit wedge along the rim of a lowball glass. Next, dip the glass onto a plate topped with coarse salt. Swirl the glass until its rim is coated with salt. Pause for a minute or two to let the salt rim set.

Fill the glass with ice. Be careful not to disturb the salt rim as you drop in the cubes.

Measure the vodka and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. We like to use a Japanese jigger to ensure accurate measurements and avoid spillage but any measuring vessel will suffice.

Pour the measured liquids into the glass.

Gently stir with a bar spoon, again being careful not to disturb the salt rim.

Garnish the crafted cocktail with the grapefruit wedge. Immediately start sipping before the ice starts to melt.

Pro Tip: Be careful not to drink too many Salty Dogs or you may require 'hair of the dog' the next morning.

Variations

We may be barking up the wrong tree but we think you're going to love the Salty Dog. Its reicpe is super easy and its salty-sweet flavor combination tastes great. However, here are some suggestions if you're not content to let sleeping dogs lie:

• Add a splash of simple syrup to craft a sweeter Salty Dog cocktail.
• Replace the grapefruit garnish with a different citrus garnish and/or a rosemary sprig.
• Skip the salt rim and craft a Greyhound cocktail.
• Use tequila instead of gin or vodka to craft a Salty Chihuahua cocktail.

This recipe was originally published on 2foodtrippers. Consider subscribing to 2foodtrippers if you enjoyed it.