Classic Greyhound Cocktail With Fresh Grapefruit Juice

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It needs only two main ingredients and takes 5 minutes to prepare.
• Fresh grapefruit delivers crisp acidity, gentle bitterness, and natural sweetness.
• Vodka makes a clean, fruit-forward drink, while gin adds a subtle botanical edge.
• It is easy to make as a single cocktail or scale into a pitcher for guests.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 large pink or ruby red grapefruit, about 1 pound
• Dairy: None required
• Pantry: Ice made from filtered water
• Spirits: Vodka or London dry gin

Full Ingredients

For the Cocktail

• 2 fluid ounces vodka or London dry gin: Choose vodka for a neutral, extra-crisp Greyhound or gin for a drier drink with botanical flavor.
• 4 fluid ounces freshly squeezed pink or ruby red grapefruit juice: Strain out the seeds and excess pulp before measuring.

For Serving

• 1 cup ice cubes: Use fresh, solid ice so the cocktail becomes cold without diluting too quickly.
• 1 thin grapefruit half-moon: Cut it about 1/4 inch thick for the garnish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Chill the glass

Place a clean 10- to 12-ounce highball or rocks glass in a 0°F freezer for about 3 minutes while you prepare the grapefruit. A cold glass keeps this simple cocktail refreshing from the first sip to the last. If freezer space is limited, fill the glass with ice water for 2 minutes, then empty and dry it.

Step 2: Squeeze and measure the grapefruit juice

Wash and dry the grapefruit. Cut it in half and squeeze the juice with a handheld citrus press or reamer. Pour the juice through a fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds and excess pulp, but do not press firmly on the solids because the white pith can add harsh bitterness. Measure exactly 4 fluid ounces of juice.

Step 3: Prepare the garnish

Cut one 1/4-inch-thick round from the remaining grapefruit. Cut the round in half to make a half-moon, then make a small slit from the peel toward the center so it can rest securely on the rim of the glass.

Step 4: Fill the glass with ice

Remove the chilled glass from the freezer and add 1 cup of fresh ice cubes, filling the glass nearly to the top. Larger, solid cubes are ideal because they chill the drink efficiently and melt more slowly than small or partially melted ice.

Step 5: Build and stir the cocktail

Pour 2 fluid ounces of vodka or London dry gin over the ice, followed by 4 fluid ounces of strained grapefruit juice. Stir gently with a bar spoon for 10 seconds, or about 15 rotations, until the ingredients are evenly combined and the outside of the glass feels cold. The ideal serving temperature is approximately 35°F to 40°F.

Step 6: Garnish and serve

Place the grapefruit half-moon on the rim of the glass. Serve the Greyhound immediately, preferably within 5 minutes of mixing, while the citrus tastes bright and the ice remains firm.

Pro Tips

• Use freshly squeezed juice: Bottled grapefruit juice can taste flat or overly sweet. Fresh juice gives the cocktail its characteristic lively acidity and clean bitterness.
• Choose the spirit to suit your taste: A smooth vodka keeps grapefruit at the center, while a juniper-forward London dry gin creates a more aromatic finish.
• Taste the grapefruit first: Ruby red grapefruit is generally sweeter, while pink or white grapefruit may taste sharper and more bitter.
• Use plenty of hard ice: A full glass of cold ice melts more slowly than a small amount, helping prevent excessive dilution.
• Check medication guidance: Grapefruit can interact with certain prescription medications. Consult the medication label or a healthcare professional if this applies to you.

Variations

• Salty Dog: Rub the rim with grapefruit and coat it with 1 teaspoon kosher salt before adding the ice. Prepare the cocktail as directed.
• Sparkling Greyhound: Use 3 fluid ounces grapefruit juice instead of 4, then add 1 fluid ounce chilled club soda after stirring. Give the drink one gentle final stir.
• Nonalcoholic Greyhound: Replace the vodka or gin with 2 fluid ounces nonalcoholic botanical spirit. Keep the grapefruit juice and ice measurements unchanged.

Storage & Make-Ahead

A mixed Greyhound is best served immediately and should not be stored with ice because it will become diluted. Fresh grapefruit juice may be squeezed, strained, and refrigerated in an airtight glass container for up to 24 hours at 40°F or below. To prepare six cocktails for guests, combine 12 fluid ounces vodka or gin with 24 fluid ounces grapefruit juice in a covered pitcher and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Stir the chilled mixture, pour 6 fluid ounces over 1 cup of ice in each glass, and garnish just before serving.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 174 kcal | Carbs: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 10g | Sodium: 2mg | Cholesterol: 0mg